2 questions on my xj1100

I've been a member for a few weeks now and figured it was time to write my first two questions.

1) The headlight on my xj1100 doesn't always come on when the key it turned to the on position. Sometimes the headlight comes on after 60 seconds of riding (my wife verified this when I was following her), other times it will come on within a few seconds after turning the key. Am I looking for a short in the wiring or something else?

2) Just yesterday the oil light came on after 60 seconds or so after I started it up and stayed on for about 5 minutes, then went off again. It was cooler (45 instead of the normal 65) yesterday morning when I started it up so didn't know if there was something else going on or if I just need to change the oil.

 

I know on the 550 and 650s the fuse box is an issue. If you haven't upgraded to a new one, it would be a good place to start. The clips get brittle and lose their tension causing poor connections. This results in problems like you are describing.

 

Check your oil level, as the light is a "level" light, not a "pressure" light

 

The oil was low so I added a half quart. It appears to be fine now. I'll order a new breaker box and breakers as well. Hopefully that fixes the headlight issue.

 

does you tachometer work while the lights are out. My sons XS1100 sometimes the light does not come on after starting and the tach does not work. Found that the kill switch needs to be cleaned up not getting good contact in there. Cleand that up and have not had the problem again.

The Oil sensor on the 1100 is a pressure sensor so you might want to keep an eye on that. I have not had a problem with the oil light coming on as long as I keep the oil level between the lines in the sight glass (when on the center stand)

(the XS1100 and the XJ1100 use the same engine just the XJ has been upgraded with more sensors and better styling...except for the handlebars)

 

Go through and do the fuse box replacement or check the old one and clean it up. Replacing is a better option because they are the source of many electrical gremlins.
The oil sensor on the XJ11 is a level sensor and not a pressure sensor. It is located on the oil pan on the left side of the bike. After years of neglect they will accumulate sludge in them making the float stick. The next time you change the oil remove it and spray some cleaning solvent in it and wash out the sticky mess. They usually work better after that.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll certainly do the fusebox replacement. I'm NOT a mechanic so my question is, how hard is it to do the replacement on the xj1100? On Chacals catalog it says the xj1100 hasn't been verified to fit with the new fusebox. Does anyone know for sure if it fits and how easy/hard it is to accomplish? I don't have a garage either so everything is done outside.

I'll also clean the sensor thingy the next time I change the oil.

Thanks!

 

"The oil sensor on the XJ11 is a level sensor and not a pressure sensor"

Sorry for the false info. I was under the impression that the motors from the XS11 and the XJ11 were pretty much same (except for the YICS). All my XS11's have the oil pressure sensor just under the carb boots. I guess you (me) learn something new every day. I think I need to get me an XJ11 Just to compare (and ride)