XS1100… Need helping IDing specific model/year

[DiverRay]

Once you KNOW the engine is good, ie it turns over and seems to produce compression, starting is easy. Turn on fuel, prime for about 30 seconds then on, Full enrichment(choke), and crank.

[DEEBS11]

An XS11 replacement ignition and key set switch to get you started.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37469243236...Bk9SR9i07q-lYw

[antwan26]

An XS11 replacement ignition and key set switch to get you started.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37469243236...Bk9SR9i07q-lYw

interesting.. mine has just two wires. Is this OEM?

thank you

[bikerphil]

OEM for 78-79 has 3 wires, 80-81 has 4, extra wire is for the hazard flashers.

[antwan26]

OEM for 78-79 has 3 wires, 80-81 has 4, extra wire is for the hazard flashers.

I’ll try and post pictures tomorrow, makes me think I am missing a wire or some sort of custom setup!
interesting, thanks!

[bikerphil]

The function of the wires is as follows:

Red: 12V in to the switch from the battery
Brown: 12V out of the switch to power up the fuse block
Blue: 12V to the tail/running light

On the 80/81 the 4th wire should be red/yel powering the hazard relay.

78/79 bikes have no hazard relay.

Aftermarket switches may not be plug and play and may need some rewiring or a different connector.

Looking at one of your pictures, the upper triple tree on your bike where the OEM type switch would mount has been changed so it probably won't bolt up anyway

[cajun31]

If you get the bike running you are going to need to verify what all has been done to the wiring. 80sg_81sh_wire.pdf (xs11.club)

[DEEBS11]

interesting.. mine has just two wires. Is this OEM?

thank you

I am going to guess that you have a universal switch with one wire 12vdc coming into the switch and one wire going out to the fuse panel main. This is a common way to wire a custom bike ignition switch. If you hook up a battery to the harness you can measure 12vdc on one of the wires at the switch I reckon.

[antwan26]

I am going to guess that you have a universal switch with one wire 12vdc coming into the switch and one wire going out to the fuse panel main. This is a common way to wire a custom bike ignition switch. If you hook up a battery to the harness you can measure 12vdc on one of the wires at the switch I reckon.

awesome advice! I will try that! Thanks everyone. Planning on ordering a battery tonight and going from there. I know the motor itself isn’t locked up, as it rolls on it’s own. Turning over will be a different story. Hoping I have some spark! 🧐

[DEEBS11]

I'm guessing this is close to your custom switch set up. You may or may not have a main fuse around 20 amps sometimes up to 30 in a custom circuit.

[DiverRay]

Main fuse should be 30A. That is what the electrical system is running, and with a 20A just for the lights, you would be blowing the 20A main a LOT.

[DEEBS11]

Sorry, this confused me.

[DEEBS11]

Here is is.

[antwan26]

Thanks for the awesome information everyone!

any recommendations on carb rebuilds? Should I just buy a new assembly? I’ll see if the bike even turns over, but after I’d say my next plan of action is tackle fuel.

thanks again guys!

[antwan26]

Also, a smidge confused… once I hook up the battery, is there a button to start the bike? The PO of my motorcycle put new Harley handle bars on… not seeing a start button?
will post photos in the AM of handlebar assembly