FrankS 1978 Special

Following Jim's clear instructions properly, I found the problem unit! What is it?


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The rectangular rubber box is the self canceling unit. The round tin can is the turn signal flasher. Yes, you can just unplug the self canceler and run without it. The ones on both my bikes are hit and miss, sometimes they work, sometimes not, so no great loss in my opinion.
 
Many, many thanks for all of you helping a neophite electrician like me!
The electric start sounds like shit but that's a common problem and the sellerl said he has some new parts for that still to give me. Good videos on this issue available on youtube.
I'm still waiting on a carb float in the mail before this bike will run.
Today, a paint free gas tank arrived from northern California to complete my bare metal look. Here's a mock up pic. I still have to scrub the tank to be rid of the red. Badges and new tires will help everything pop.

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Aye, the flasher cancelling unit.
Great concept except you almost need to know how many revolutions have to have turned before it shuts itself off. Why are my turn signals shutting off before I make the turn? Speedo reed valve and the cancelling unit.
Some turns I need to give those behind plenty of time for my intent, and no, I haven't changed my mind about turning at the last hundred feet or so.
Manual, turn them on when needed, turn them off when done.
 
Aye, the flasher cancelling unit.
Great concept except you almost need to know how many revolutions have to have turned before it shuts itself off. Why are my turn signals shutting off before I make the turn? Speedo reed valve and the cancelling unit.
Some turns I need to give those behind plenty of time for my intent, and no, I haven't changed my mind about turning at the last hundred feet or so.
Manual, turn them on when needed, turn them off when done.
I have not ridden my xs for while now, I can not remember if the indicators self cancelled. I probably pressed it to cancel the flashing. After frank's discovery, this could be the reason for mysterious non running situations. As it has been in there for more than 40 years, I think I will swap it out.
 
I had a cursory look on mikesxs for self cancelling units and there is non! Jim says one can just remove it, a few posts ago. is that the reality, no problems?View attachment 334652
Yes I simply removed the self cancel unit (and the reserve lighting unit) with no ill effect.
Click to flash, click to stop flash... Simples.
 
Yes I simply removed the self cancel unit (and the reserve lighting unit) with no ill effect.
Click to flash, click to stop flash... Simples.
Yes, same here. I have removed all the near 50 year old electronics from my bike. I don't need anything to be a potential reliability issue down the line if it's avoidable. (The one exception for me is the start motor safety relay. I have kept the original one. I would like to replace that with a modern equivalent one day. But I do have the kickstarter should that relay prevent electric starting one day. So it's pretty unlikely that's going to prevent me getting home one day).

Reserve lighting unit removal requires one jumper to be installed IIRC. Very easy though.
 
I really need to unplug my self cancelling unit as it often shuts the turn signal off before I even come to a stop
I’ve been riding these Yamahas for over 40 years. I have been trained by the self cancel feature as designed. If I give a long signal, I’m prepared to reengage. From stopped, I know I’m going to use my thumb. Manual signals? I’m going to be the guy driving 5 miles with a signal flashing. It’s not a system that is typically troublesome, until you try to run it with LED lamps.
 
Still waiting for a carb floats, and then I have to mess with the points with mangled screws. Need a new clutch cover gasket because this one broke at the very bottom where it's needed the most.

Tank and side covers with badges on. I like it.

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Feeling pretty good about the electrics, I decided to plug in the headlight, turned the ignition key on, turned the headlight switch on, and bam! Fuse blows to red wire with yellow stripe. Greeaaat!
 
Here's a link that explains it .....

http://www.excess650.co.uk/tips & tricks.htm

When I add a jumper wire, I like to make it just long enough so I can run it between the wires coming out of the back of the plug and then plug it in the front. This holds the jumper wire in place so it can't snag on something and get pulled out ......

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And to make it even more secure, you can add a cable tie if you like .....

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