no power

[happyjj]

I was out on a ride yesterday the bike lost pwr for a second then came back on. Rode about another 40 mi then it went out and stayed out. I checked all the fuses, cleaned all the connections I could find. I hooked a battery charger to the main fuse and all the lightS came on and the starter turned over. I also took a screw driver and crossed it at the selonide and the starter turned over. What do you think it might be. I was thinking maybe the Ignition unit. By the way this is on my 82 XJ1100

[fredintoon]

checklist

Hi Happy,
if you just ran out of gas you wouldn't be posting, right?
From what you say, here's what I'd do.
Remove the plugs, clip 'em back on the wires, lay 'em on the head turn on the iggy and push the starter.
No spark or only two of four spark, it's the iggy.
All four spark, put a shot of ether-based "instant-start" down each plug-hole then immediately replace the plugs, wind the grip full open and push the starter.
If the motor gives a brief Vroom then stops, your iggy's fine, it's the carbs.
(unless you really did run out of gas)
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Pat Kelly]

That has happened to me once or twice. In my case it was (still is) the kill switch on the handlebar.

[happyjj]

Thanks but I had a full tank of gas. It's something do with the electrical. If the kill switch is bad, wouldn't the lights still come on and just not start?

[skids]

there is an ingition fuse...

[fredintoon]

effin' killswitch!

Time was you never had no effin' killswitch, not even a keyswitch, just a magneto. Not that Amal carbs would reliably slow run anyway but if it chose to, just put it in 2nd and drop the clutch to stall the engine.
In all the years I've had killswitch equipped bikes I've never had the need to use the stupid thing. Daftest device since the brake pedal interlock for putting a car in gear. Other helpful people have passed by the bike and flipped it to "off" though, leaving me cussing the stupid bike until I noticed what had been done, damn them for interfering fools.
Yes indeed, a faulty killswitch would certainly cause all the symptoms you describe.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[happyjj]

OK Thanks I will go and take it apart.

[happyjj]

Skids do you happen to know where the ingition fuse is located at?

[fredintoon]

finding the orphan

On my XS11SG at least the ignition fuse ain't with the rest like any sensible person would assume, oh no.
It's in a little black box of it's own behind the left-hand side-cover.
Mr Stupid had to peel his wiring harness and chase the wire back to find it the hard way.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Dragonrider]

Yep...sounds like the main fuse . . . NOT in the fusebox. In a little rubbery square in-line boxy thingy that should be under the LEFT sidecover . . . but often migrates to under the seat on the left hand side.

I replaced my fusebox with all spade fuses and moved the main in there too.

Good luck!

[skids]

Under the right side cover in the fuse panel, as I remember it on the 78 xs11E (it has been a while and my memory is not as sharp as a tack)

Originally posted by happyjj
Skids do you happen to know where the ingition fuse is located at?

[thumperjsa]

Could it possibly be a malfunctioning tip over switch?

[randy]

To test the tip-over switch, unplug it and try to start.

It shorts the IGGY to ground, so you can run without it (as long as you keep the rubber side down)

[fredintoon]

another mystery module

Ha!
Does my XS11SG have one of those too?
Yet another worthless waste of wiring & potential cause of ignition failure.
In order that I may further simplify my electrical system,
where is the silly thing and what does it look like?
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[happyjj]

Thank YOU all. I never would have found it. It doesn't even look like where there would be a fuse. I was just starting to cut the black tape and see where it would leed me. Now all I have to do is put the headlight, Ingnition switch, fairing, fuse boxes back on and I should be done. I should have waited to hear from all of you before I started. Oh well maybe I learned something today. You all have a very nice night.