Wiring diagrams (2019)

Status
Not open for further replies.
No problem - here you go!

Those are very nicely done. Can I ask what software you use to draw them with?

Being an EE and working in the electronics industry I have access to OrCad Schematic Capture but colored wiring isn't a feature of that.
 
@maylar I took Bill Turnbull's original interpretation, and with help from @L.A.B. corrected the factory errors.

At the moment, I just use the free paint.net application - I have used this app for years for software design prototyping, so am pretty quick with it.


I have identified a decent product that I will use to do some updated diagrams with at somepoint (yes, including the MK3!!!)

It's called Canvas X https://www.canvasgfx.com/ and you are able to do the multi-colored wiring with it among other things.

However, in testing I identified an issue with the software which is a bit of a show stopper, so I am waiting for them to fix before I make a start on the wiring diagrams!!!

Grant
 
No problem @dguzzi - here you go!

Wiring diagrams (2019)
Norton Commando Wiring Diagram + Boyer + Sparx 3 phase

Hello Grant!
Firstly thank you for all the magnificient wiring diagrams!
A friend and me are just about to put a 1971 Commando SS together. We also have a three phase alternator and electronic regulator.
How do I connect the warning light assimilator?
To all three wires coming from the alternator or is it enough to hook it up to one phase?
Greetings
Uli
 
@rivera Hi Uli,

Yes, as per the diagram, monitor just one of the phases.

Your alternative is to use a modern battery status monitor. Two examples are:
SparkBright
Improving Classic Motorcycles

We fitted the ICM one on the MK3 as we wanted to retain the stock warning light in the console - it works a treat!


I don’t like the pre-MK3 warning light assimilator - it’s a really weak design, as it operates using a similar principal to the bi-metallic strip in a heating thermostat.
A faulty assimilator can actually give you charging issues!
I would recommend you considering swapping it out for something a bit better.
 
Nice, I'll see what I can do with them. Perfect timing as I'll be wiring 2 bikes this year.
 
Hi everyone!

I have had a few requests and DMs here and on the Commando Facebook group.
And am pleased to say that I have added some more wiring diagrams.

We now have three diagram types:
  • Pre-1971 (ammeter in the headlight shell and Wipac Tricon type handlebar switch)
  • 1971 (three wires to the master switch)
  • 1972 onwards (four wires to the master switch)

You can find three diagrams for each section on the website https://granttiller.com



There are also some custom wiring diagrams on the site too.
These are not broken down into three different versions, but still may be of interest to some of you.

Tri-Spark electronic ignition​
Podtronics regulator/rectifier and three phase alternator​
SparkBright voltage monitor​


Boyer Bransden MK3 electronic ignition​
Boyer Bransden Power Box regulator/rectifier with built-in charging light​


Colorado Norton Works electric start conversion​
Lucas RITA electronic ignition​
Podtronics regulator/rectifier and three phase alternator​
SparkBright voltage monitor​
Twin horns on relays​


Boyer Bransden MK3 electronic ignition​
Boyer Bransden Power Box regulator/rectifier​



Thanks to @L.A.B. for checking my work and keeping me honest with the new diagrams!

Please let me know if there are any custom diagrams you would like - i'm more than happy to help where I can.

Cheers,

Grant
 
Last edited:
Hi Grant,
Very nice job on the diagrams.
If you want a bit of variety there is a restoration thread on an M.Unit Blue installation which has my hand drawn wiring schematic.
 
Just added the Electrex World STK-102D-DC kit to the main list of wiring diagrams covered.

Norton Commando Wiring Diagram + Electrex World


Proceed with caution on this one - I am going to do a separate write-up covering my opinions and findings on the kit we have just put on a 650ss project.
It is the same kit and procedure as the Commando, so will be relevant to anyone considering it!
 
Last edited:
Just added the Electrex World STK-102D-DC kit to the main list of wiring diagrams covered...
Proceed with caution on this one - I am going to do a separate write-up covering my opinions and findings on the kit we have just put on a 650ss project.
It is the same kit and procedure as the Commando, so will be relevant to anyone considering it!

this Electrex kit sounds promising. i would definitely consider this as a possible future upgrade. bring on your review. thks.
 
Excellent and most useful thread!!!
i would like to ask for a diagram for a road-track Seeley Commando i am building.
It will have a Tri Spark ignition with single phase alternator, a Podtronics and a Dynatek dual coil. The difference to the others i see is that i would like to use a negative ground.
No turn Indicators but a 4 position lock master switch, a left handlebar Wipac Tucon switch, a Headlight with Hi Lo, a tachometer, a tail and stop light and a fusebox for the main lines and a lo pressure indicator light.
 
Last edited:
Hi everyone,

Further to my last slew of updates, I have now added more.

I had a lot of feedback regarding previous diagrams, but the biggest item of feedback was undoubtedly "that's great, but where's the MK3"

So now you've got it!

A few changes to the factory MK3 diagram:
  • We corrected the wire colors on the sub console harness (factory diagram shows colors that don't ever seem to have been used on the actual bikes)
  • Added an additional Blue/White wire for the main beam flasher on the left hand handlebar switch (the main beam/dipped beam switch and main beam flasher are shown as fed from a single wire on the factory diagram)
  • Added a Grey wire to the right hand handlebar switch for the starter button (the run/stop switch and the starter button are shown as being fed from the single white wire on the factory diagram)
  • Removed the Red Earth wire that goes from the Battery to the Frame - after a few reports of Triumph T160 harnesses melting, NVT issued a service bulletin in May 1975 (7/75 (Triple) instructing to dealers to cut the wire of any bikes they have in stock - leaving only the heavy gauge cable going to the crankcase.
The other thing you will notice is that i have kept the component layout the same as the other Norton Commando diagrams - so lights, alternator, switches etc are all in the same place on the page.
For Norton heads, I think it makes it a lot easier to get your head around, as you move through the years and from one bike to another.
It's also interesting to see the evolution through the years!


There are actually three MK3 diagrams:
  • 1974 MK3
    This covers the very start of the production run (in December 1974, and we think about two thousand bikes)
    There are three additional fuses hidden away in the headlamp bucket
    You'll also see that the assimilator is the old three wire 'siler can' unreliable 3AW type


  • 1975 MK3
    This is the version that you all know and love - most of the MK3's were wired to this spec.


  • 1975 MK3 (Canadian Market)
    The wiring differences are covered in note in the original factory diagram, but I wanted to split it out as it's own diagram to make it easier to understand.
    Basically, there was a legal requirement in Canada around the headlamp being on while the engine was running, so the wiring diagram includes changes needed (swapping out the Warning Light Assimilator 06-6393 for the Headlamp Warning Unit 06-6392).
    Note that a different Master Switch is also required.



So in total, we now have six diagram types:
  • Pre-1971 (ammeter in the headlight shell and Wipac Tricon type handlebar switch)
  • 1971 (three wires to the master switch)
  • 1972 onwards (four wires to the master switch)
  • 1974 MK3 (Early, with the three additional fuses, and the 3AW assimilator)
  • 1975 MK3 (labelled as Original, as it represents the wiring diagram in the manual, other than the corrections)
  • 1975 MK3 (Canadian Market)

You can find six diagrams for each section on the website (apart from cNw starter, which won't fit a MK3, and Electrex World, whose alternator output won't keep a MK3 alive) https://granttiller.com




Once again, many thanks to @L.A.B. for keeping me sane - checking my work and making some great suggestions!

This has been a LOT of work, but hopefully it will become a useful resource for us all!

Cheers,

Grant
 
Last edited:
Hi Grant, these are stunning, among the clearest wiring diagrams I've ever seen!

Got to ask, I have an early Mk 3 with 3 fuses in the headlamp shell. What are they for?

Is it possible to do the above diagram with the Sparx 3 phase alternator and reg/rec, plus Pazon Surefire ignition (which I have) and the same again but with Lucas 3 phase and Podtronis reg/rec (which I plan to upgrade to?
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top