Wiring Nightmares

One of my other winter projects is to swap to negative ground. I'm doing this for multiple reasons for that so no need to debate (I know that is the most useless statement on the internet).

Now, naively, I thought how hard could that be. The original wiring harness is currently laughing at me. Out loud.

There is good news, with the Podtronics it's just a simple swap in the battery area. I bought this bike (back when Gandalf was a wee lad) it still came to me with a Mikuni and Boyer. And neither one of those things have really been touched. Whomever put in the Podtronics just took the ring connector from and shoved it in the large spade connector. It works, has worked and for now will continue to work. It does leave the original harness untouched.



Then I moved up front to deal with the Boyer. That's where it got ugly. First I took a close look at the pickup wires. Let's just say I don't know why I haven't ended up stranded more often...


There are just a handful of strands standing between me and crying on the side of the road. This is a simple fix, so not the worse thing. And certainly better to catch it now.



Then I went to look at the 8 wire bullet connector. Please don't show this picture to children or those of weak constitution.

I can't find this connector anywhere. I've got an email out to British Wiring. Does anyone have a suggestion as who might carry it? It's not a normal Norton replacement part in the catalog. That I have found.

Moss Motors has them:
https://mossmotors.com/connector-10-way?assoc=121691

Peter Joe

Not exactly what you want, but British Wiring (over your side of the ditch) offer this 9 bullet connector:
It is apparently not currently in stock.
They also have a 7 bullet version that is apparently in stock

Considering there are replica harnesses it must mean that they still make the thing. I should pull it out further to see what it actually looks like.

PeterJoe said:

Moss Motors has them:
https://mossmotors.com/connector-10-way?assoc=121691

Peter Joe

Click to expand...

Ok, so I dug it out a bit better and you are 100% correct. This is the right piece. Thank you so much!!!

robs ss said:

Not exactly what you want, but British Wiring (over your side of the ditch) offer this 9 bullet connector:

9-Way Waterproof Connector

BritshWiring is your complete source for wiring harnesses, components and accessories for your classic car restoration project.

www.britishwiring.com

It is apparently not currently in stock.
They also have a 7 bullet version that is apparently in stock

Click to expand...

This is the correct link to the correct connector. Yes, you are correct, it is not in stock.


I wonder when they will correct that issue?

It's just five double-common connectors in one rubber block. There are no internal connections.

=


x5

I use the 5 doubles too, they move relative to each other so can be made to fit the space better and then kept in shape with cable ties.

Why worry about using original style Lucas connectors? There are plenty of "modern" connectors easily available.
Can't be "to keep it original," that is pretty much out the window with the conversion to neg ground.

" I'm doing this for multiple reasons for that so no need to debate"

I agree that often things turn into a debate that should not so I totally respect your decision to make this unnecessary, PITA conversion.

My, that's mighty fugly.

I used the doubles as well. Fits better under the tank and it allowed me to eliminate (tape up) unused Interpol and the old WLA wires.

Only downside to the negative earth swap for me was that the red wires in the harness are now negative. Still ground but wrong color. No biggie, since nobody but me will work on my electrics for as long as I own it.

Nothing wrong with Lucas bullets IMO, it's those receptacles that get buggered with time. Silicone grease on the bullets on reassembly helps keep the connections healthy.

I couldn't live with negative red wires. If you do change polarity there are stickers and decals available on eBay to indicate correct polarity. Search either positive or negative earth decal. Please use! Somebody will own your bike after you and will need to replace the battery.

I use anti-oxidation grease on the bullet connectors to both prevent oxidation and make for easier insertion and removal.

Slick

OK Dave - do you have the time to "bite the bullet" and do a proper rewire?
I did it and am far from an electron savvy guy.
Yes, I was hesitant, but after many creative fixes by previous owners, and much original deterioration of the components, it seemed like I had no choice if I wanted a reliable system. I also wanted to go negative earth after a few 'sparking' incidents that scared the crap out of me. And more than a few mysterious strandings due to electrical malfunctions.
I did not buy a harness but made my own from individual wires and modern connectors as needed. If you take your time, it is not difficult.
A PC8 fuse box from Eastern Beaver is the hub of the system.
Here are a few pics.

batrider said:

I couldn't live with negative red wires. If you do change polarity there are stickers and decals available on eBay to indicate correct polarity. Search either positive or negative earth decal. Please use! Somebody will own your bike after you and will need to replace the battery.

Click to expand...

Totally agree.

And yes, the red ground wires will bug me.

MexicoMike said:

Why worry about using original style Lucas connectors? There are plenty of "modern" connectors easily available.
Can't be "to keep it original," that is pretty much out the window with the conversion to neg ground.

" I'm doing this for multiple reasons for that so no need to debate"

I agree that often things turn into a debate that should not so I totally respect your decision to make this unnecessary, PITA conversion.

Click to expand...

Thanks for adding to it.

The harness under the tank can only be described as a fucking mess. Well mine was anyway and it was only going to be a question of time before it failed big time, and it did.
It's now redone with no unnecessary connectors and not a bullet anywhere on the bike.
Along with the rewire there's extra fuses and relays.

tomspro said:

OK Dave - do you have the time to "bite the bullet" and do a proper rewire?
I did it and am far from an electron savvy guy.
Yes, I was hesitant, but after many creative fixes by previous owners, and much original deterioration of the components, it seemed like I had no choice if I wanted a reliable system. I also wanted to go negative earth after a few 'sparking' incidents that scared the crap out of me. And more than a few mysterious strandings due to electrical malfunctions.
I did not buy a harness but made my own from individual wires and modern connectors as needed. If you take your time, it is not difficult.
A PC8 fuse box from Eastern Beaver is the hub of the system.
Here are a few pics.

View attachment 22077

View attachment 22078

Click to expand...

I did that on my other bike, built the harness from scratch. I don't want to do that yet on this bike.

I just ordered the 5 way connector and several doubles and singles from Moss Motors. I'll replace the big block and any others that look suspicious.

Here's another view of the block. Not pretty.








The Boyer leads are also attended to. This is one set of wires you don't want to skimp on, this is an AMP connector, fully waterproof and won't come apart. I don't love the AMP as they are almost as bulky as Weatherpacks but it will do for now as I had a few of these doubles in my stash.

Parts are coming from Moss Motors so it’s not vaporware.

swooshdave said:

Parts are coming from Moss Motors so it’s not vaporware.

Click to expand...

Mine have shipped also.

Ed