XS1100 help

[Killjoy]

So I’ve had my XS11 for a few months now and it’s been amazing. However, I tried starting it today and it won’t start, my lights don’t even come on when my key is on. I tired to kick start it, nothing. Checked battery, voltage is over 12, looked for loose wires and couldn’t see anything suspicious, check spark plugs and they’re okay too. Any ideas? I’m getting frustrated and about ready to just take it to the shop.

[LAB3]

First things first, if the dash lights don't come on then check the main fuse! On my bike it's under the left side cover next to the battery.

[Larrym]

On my Special model alls the fuzes be under the right side cover. (^_^)

I mean...whiles Imma sitting on the bike and facing fwd... (O_o)

[cajun31]

So I’ve had my XS11 for a few months now and it’s been amazing. However, I tried starting it today and it won’t start, my lights don’t even come on when my key is on. I tired to kick start it, nothing. Checked battery, voltage is over 12, looked for loose wires and couldn’t see anything suspicious, check spark plugs and they’re okay too. Any ideas? I’m getting frustrated and about ready to just take it to the shop.

The headlight will not come on by just turning the key on. It comes on after the bike starts. When you say tried starting and won't start, exactly what is it doing? Be descriptive. As lab3 stated the main fuse for the bike is under the left side cover, the others are normally located under the right side cover. If you aren't getting anything at all then I would suspect the starter button. Actually all the wired connections under the right handle where the starter button is can build up oxidation as well as the now 40 year plus solder could have broken loose. Not a hard fix but you should inspect those solder points. Over 12 volts on the battery could still indicate a weak and possibly failing battery. A fully charged battery should be at or above 13 volts. To start the XS1100 you need for the battery to be at least that to begin with or it will not crank over or long enough to start. Tell us a bit more of what it is actually doing.

By the way, just as a word of advice. Unless the shop you were talking about taking it to has a mechanic that actually has experience on old vintage bikes you will be wasting your money or might even be asking for more problems. Vintage is a different animal compared to modern bikes that most mechanics of today are used to working on. We can guide you much better than a shop. I am not trying to say that there might not be some mechanics that would be helpful but you really have to find one that specializes in working on vintage.

[LAB3]

The headlight will not come on by just turning the key on. It comes on after the bike starts. When you say tried starting and won't start, exactly what is it doing? Be descriptive. As lab3 stated the main fuse for the bike is under the left side cover, the others are normally located under the right side cover. If you aren't getting anything at all then I would suspect the starter button. Actually all the wired connections under the right handle where the starter button is can build up oxidation as well as the now 40 year plus solder could have broken loose. Not a hard fix but you should inspect those solder points. Over 12 volts on the battery could still indicate a weak and possibly failing battery. A fully charged battery should be at or above 13 volts. To start the XS1100 you need for the battery to be at least that to begin with or it will not crank over or long enough to start. Tell us a bit more of what it is actually doing.

By the way, just as a word of advice. Unless the shop you were talking about taking it to has a mechanic that actually has experience on old vintage bikes you will be wasting your money or might even be asking for more problems. Vintage is a different animal compared to modern bikes that most mechanics of today are used to working on. We can guide you much better than a shop. I am not trying to say that there might not be some mechanics that would be helpful but you really have to find one that specializes in working on vintage.

It's getting to the point where even 15 year old bikes get turned away at shops these days.

"Who works on your bike for you"

"I do"

"Are you a mechanic?"

"No. In the ancient times, before Al Gore invented the Internet people often repaired their own vehicles. This was before we became "smart" and paid others to do it"

[Desert Dave]

Check the fuse box itself. They are known to go bad. There are lots of affordable units to upgrade, and as a bonus you can have blade fuses.