XS1100 Wiring 101
Posted on July 4, 2006 | Posted by Evan Fell | 16 Comments
Yamaha used about 15 miles of excess unneeded cable when it built the xs11’s in the factory. On the left you can see all the stock wiring which I pulled into the open and cut the sheaths off of. After half a day of determining which wires I actually needed to run the bike I ended up with the picture on the right. Just a few lone wires neatly tucked alongside the frame rails.
The wiring that exists basically connects the battery, ignition system, ballast resistor, coils and regulator. Besides that every electronic component on the bike was removed. I still need to run a couple wires for the headlight and tail light, but they will be on their own seperate fused circuit so it is independent of the bikes other electrical. It was a lot of work, but it turned out great. One step at a time this bike is making a major transition.
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16 Responses to “XS1100 Wiring 101”
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I have owned nearly every make and model of vintage Japanese motorcycle as well as a number of other Europeans and more modern bikes. I do everything from simple fixes to full restorations. I also travel and ride every chance I get.
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December 24th, 2008 @ 12:32 am
I woonder if you could do up a wire diagram I have maintained the electric start speedo and signals as well as the head and tail light
could you help?
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December 24th, 2008 @ 12:46 am
Hi Barry,
I have a variety of customized wiring diagrams drawn out by hand (very messily) on some loose leaf. It would probably be beneficial to draw some up and explain them. I find that most inexperienced mechanics who want to work on their bikes are scared of two things; carb work, and electric work. In reality neither of them is very difficult. My carb guide has been helping people out, I’ll try to write up something similar for diagnosing and modifying electrics.
But to answer your question directly, I don’t at this time have a diagram of my XS1100 wiring to share with you.
Thanks for visiting!,
-Evan
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kevo Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
80 xs1100 will only run with starter engaged i have striped bout every thing elect off the bike but bare bones icd box coils still only runs with starter engaged got any ideas ?
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February 13th, 2009 @ 5:39 am
hey.. just got a 79(touring). initially it would light the running lights but start intermittently. i could start it by shorting the solenoid or sometimes it worked. now it lights nothing and will only run when the solenoid is started. any suggestions… is there a way to test the solenoid. somebody said maybe the ballast resistor?
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February 16th, 2009 @ 9:08 am
Anthony,
The first thing I always check when trying to diagnose intermittent electrical problems is the main grounding cable from the battery to the frame. Since you can jump your solenoid this likely isn’t the case, but is a good tip none-the-less.
You’re just going to have to take a multi-meter and trace the power up through the starter switch and down to the solenoid – if the solenoid is getting juice and not jumping then it’s the solenoid – if the start button isn’t sending juice down to the solenoid then you just have to work backwards from there.
Also, make sure your battery is fresh and your fuses are good and clean. Easy stuff first!!
Good luck with it. Wiring problems are rewarding when sorted out. Evan.
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April 3rd, 2009 @ 9:04 am
A few people have told me what you did wouldn’t work because of all the relays, shutoff switches, and igniters, etc. I am one of the inexperienced guys you were talking about. I have a simple chopper diagram i got from a guy if i wired the bike like that would it work? I have the xs1100 (82 or 83 someone gave it to me) that was only made for one year I don’t know if that makes it different.
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June 17th, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Did you complete this bike?? Would you mind posting some pics? I’m hardtailing and chopping one right now. Best wishes, Nick
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July 3rd, 2009 @ 10:33 am
I asked you quite a bit ago if you had a drawing of the abreviated wiring diagram for the xs1100 and you had said it was only drawn out by hand, do you have a copy of that diagram? If so could I get a copy?
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March 2nd, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I really NEED a wiring diagram from you in order to re-wire my XS 11. I cannot even find a stock diagram online that is in color. I can only find a sketchy B/W diagram. At on time, I happened across a color diagram on some U.K. website. The bike has an aftermarket Dyna S ignition module on it. It uses 2.2 ohm ignition coils and the bike runs great. But…
now I can’t get the darn bike to run, no ignition. I have been probing this bike ALL OVER. I ought to just re-wire the whole bike. PLEASE HELP ME!!!
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April 20th, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
04 yamaha 1100 silverado. Bright lights and good battery voltage. When you push the start button everything dies. After a few minutes, everything comes back again, but dies when you try to start.
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April 20th, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
@Al
Sounds like you have a bad ground or a short. Check the connections at the battery terminals, the main ground connection at the frame, and the wires going too and from the starter and starter solenoid.
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May 24th, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
I have an engine and wiring harness from an 82 xj 1100 that I am outting in my sons pulling tractor. I need HELP with the electronics. I have power and can turn it over but getting fire is another story. I am not sure I even have everything on their that I should. Can you help me??
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May 30th, 2010 @ 7:54 pm
@Denny – If you have any specific questions I’d be happy to help as best I can. For now, have a look at the 1978-1979 Yamaha XS1100 Wiring Diagram
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September 14th, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
hey man i have an 82 xj1100 that the wiring harness burned up on so i wus thinking its a good time to bob it out like i have been wanting to do is there any way you can send me a diagram of your wiring on the XS i’m just looking for what it takes to make the bike run. can you help me please!!
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December 1st, 2010 @ 9:24 pm
When you hit the start and everything dies, you most likely have a bad battery. MY 04 had the same problem. The battery voltage was good, but it shorts under the start load.
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May 10th, 2011 @ 1:04 pm
I have a 78 XS Eleven. I got a wiring diagram for bobbing it out. I got it all hoked up but have no spark at the plugs. I have power going into the starter coils but nothing coming out. Am i suppose to have power to all four wires on the starter coils? If so do u think my coils are bad and if so is there a different coil i can use because the factory one is no longer being made. Thanks
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