Here are 2 pictures of the component I'm asking about. The component is in the center of each picture. It's mounted just above the carburetor. It has 2 black wires on the left side, a hose comes off the top and goes to the carburetor. Does it have something to do with vacuum? Thanks for the help. (1983 XLX)

 

That is the VOES, Vacuum Operated Electrical Switch. See Factory Service Manual 99484-85 page 7-17.

 

VOES, got it. Thanks. So what is it supposed to do?

 

the motor has no way on its own to control the engines timing when pulling up a hill / or leaving a stop light, so the voes is connected to a manifold vacuum port via the carb or manifold its self, and as the high idle vacuum is depleated as you open the throttle the switch has a set posision to send a signal ( it grounds ) to the electronic ignition and it in turn retards the timing 10 degrees so the engine does not ping under load - simple and worth having on any hartley - jz

 

Everything you need to know here ...

http://www.wildwestcycle.com/f_voes.html

 

Great. Thanks for the help!