first bike-its an XS!

[newrider]

I've just acquired my first motorcyle in my short 25 year life. Its an 1979 XS1100, traded and old vacant VW worth about $400 for it. Its in great condition, brand new 4 into header, new seat, new fork and suspension throughout, top end has been rebuilt, all seals on the bike have been replaced, new tires, paint is in great shape, has 37k miles. Having never owned or riden a motorcylce before, I must say this one has been a pleasure to ride and has boosted my riding confidence quicker then I thought. I have only one issue with the bike in its present condition, I have searched everywhere and cannot find a solution, so here it goes.

The original turn signals have been replaced with small, crotch rocket i guess type signals. When I turn the bike on, they are lit constantly, the switch has no effect, they are just always on and do not blink. I read through the threads here, and bought a new flasher but no change. Any ideas, as I've seen you are the ones that know, and I'm sure there is a solution in one of these threads on blinkers, but if you'd point me in the right direction i could use the help please.

[JWSanders]

You're best bet would to get a Clymer or a factory service manual. Then use it's diagrams to wire original type turn signals back into it or wire those correctly, The original lights for your bike are square, I think. Partnmore has them here.


Great looking bike!! These are great machines. You wont be dissapointed.

[randy]

Hey, Newrider.

Welcome and good luck with your XS!

In addditon to the turn signal lights that you can get from Parts n More, you're going to need the mounts to attach them to the frame.

Front ones attach to the lower triple tree clamp and rear to the frame just below the seat grab rail.

Alternatively, for the rear mounts, you can get a bar that attaches to the license plate bracket.

These mounts occaisionally come up on Ebay, unless someone here has spares!

[xs650mike]

License bracket turn signal mounts.

No need to waste time getting a license bracket turn signal mount off ebay, if you could even find one. You can just order one from J&P Cycles www.jpcycles.com Item # 381-518 Chrome Light Mount Bar - $6.99.

[xs650mike]

And before you replace those mini turn sigs read this thread: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...3907#post63907 I think you'll be able to get 'em to work.

[prometheus578]

I don't know how the new lights are wired. The 79's lights take different bulbs front to rear. Front bulbs are 1157 (two filiment) and the rears are 1156(one filiment) meaning two contacts on one... one contact on the other type. I've seen people put the wrong bulb in the right socket, and that short the connection.. having the light stay on, no flashing, etc.
Now, you have different lights and bulbs, but in the rear... someone might have screwed up the wiring, trying to hook two wires together, where there only should be one.
(front lights are parking lights and turn signals, rears are turn signals only)

[randy]

Mike,

How do you propose to mount XS signals onto that thing?

[skids]

I think I have seen those before. It bolts to the license plate bracket and the stalks of the signals are suppose to attach to the bent ends.

Originally posted by randy
Mike,

How do you propose to mount XS signals onto that thing?

[xs650mike]

Skids just answered the question. Back in the '80s Yamaha sold a similar item in a kit with extension wires with plugs on the ends to plug into the stock harness and signals. With this you've got to make your own wiring extensions and run them under the fender along the path of the stock tail, brake and license lights. Easy to do with some bullet connectors and a crimping tool. The clips are already there under the fender to secure the wires. You can mount this bracket to the license bracket or the bottom of the plate if you've got a metal frame on your plate. I've got a homemade version of this on my bike, if I'd known you could buy it I would have.


Another non-problem solved!

[bandet01]

nice looking bike mine looks almost the same as your bike you will love it i am only 23 and my first bike was a xs1100 have fun and be careful because they can get to be a handful if you aint ready for the sudden power

[randy]

Yeah, guys, but newrider doesn't have the stalks! If he had the stalks, he could just mount them to the frame.

[xs650mike]

When he gets the wiring and conductivity issues solved he may not need to replace or move the signals anyway. The only reason to move 'em to the rear is to mount bags. The minis will work without stalks on the J&P bracket. Dunno about other states, California specifies turn sigs must be at least 4" from the centerline. Minis on no stalks meets that criterion or at least close enough. I've never heard of a policeman to actually measuring how far someone's turn sigs are from the centerline. Cops don't even write loud muffler tickets anymore.

Actually I highly recommend that newrider install bags of some sort...it makes the bike more of a practical piece of transportation rather than just a grown-up toy. I would have to change my whole life around if I didn't have bags and a rack on my bike. I'd have to take my car for a lot of the everyday errands I usually use my bike for. Then I'd not only not get to ride as much, my fuel bills would be astronomical forcing me to cut back on other things I enjoy such as eating, heating my house and indulging in fermented malt beverages. Even things I don't enjoy like paying my taxes would suffer. Let's hear it for saddlebags and tailpacks!

[chevy45412001]

looky looky

both mini lights and saddle bags..it's good to be me...


very crude home made relocator for lights

[xs650mike]

Notice you've got mud splattered pipes Chevy. Been ridin' in the rain? A man after my own heart! I like how your license light is on top but your plate is below, very sneaky. Nyuk, nyuk!

[SG-Olli]

Originally posted by xs650mike
I've never heard of a policeman to actually measuring how far someone's turn sigs are from the centerline. Cops don't even write loud muffler tickets anymore.

You lucky guys over there .
I once got a ticket for a rear fender that was too short (about $ 50) .