What component is this?
 

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)


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps8b950e45.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0338494c.jpg

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!