Simplifying Harley-Davidson's electrical system: eliminating problems
Life is increasingly complicated. Generally we complicate it ourselves, induced by "the system", which tries to convince us that to be happy we need more.
If we stop to think a little, we suddenly come to the conclusion that less is more, and this is something that we can apply in all facets of our life. And on our motorcycle too.
Electricity, Magic and Voodoo
The electrical part of any motorized vehicle is one of the greatest strangers and feared, both by DIY fans (do it yourself) and even by the experienced mechanics. This has an explanation, and that is that the human being by nature fears what he cannot see or what he does not understand. But we are in the 21st century and we should break this myth, electricity is very accurate, we can control and even visualize it (measure it) with adequate instruments and knowledge.
I will not base this article on a talk about electrons and potential differences (we will talk about it on another occasion), just understand that electricity "travels" through conductive cables as if it were water through pipes, So it is essential that these pipes are in good condition so that leaks are not produced. The connections of any electrical system are its weak point, and if they are in good condition everything will work correctly.
Simplifying our life
Imagine that you could start all the wiring of your motorcycle and manufacture an electrical system from scratch, with only a few cables. This system would be able to operate the engine and the essential lights, and also as you have created yourself (and it is simple) would allow you to diagnose any failure in a very simple and fast way.
Do you like the idea? We will put it into practice.
From scratch
Before I start remembering that it is vital to pay attention to the connections, they must be done conscientiously, without hurry.
We start from the base that the motorcycle does not have any cable and works with carburetor (electronic injection needs a lot of wiring).
The chassis is a "fat" cable: every time you see this symbol:
Indicates that the cable is connected to the negative battery pole. If we connect the negative battery cable directly to the chassis, we are making it part of the electrical system, and all electricity will return through it, saving all the cables back!
We start with the contact key, which has 3 positions: all turned off, on and on + lights.
We continue with the lighthouse.
Then we walked the rear pilot.
The next step is the horn.
Then the ignition.
We continue with the starter engine.
And we finish the work with the load system.
Ending
Keep in mind that these schemes are orientative and can change according to the components, but have been used for several decades to the present the Choppers around the world, facilitating the diagnosis and maintenance, simplifying our passion for the 2 wheels.
The schemes are also valid to understand how the different electrical circuits act because they allow us to isolate the connections of each component and understand its operation. Minimalism in its purest form.
Frank Burguera
38 comments
hola, tengo un problema con el indicador de nivel de gasolina en mi fat bob del 2011 y es que no me indica nivel solo indica reserva he probado con varios marcadores y todos igual he cambiado el aforador y sigue sin indicar nivel , que puede ser? gracias de antemano
Street Bob año 2010. Se quedo sin sistema eléctrico, vamos que no tiene luces ni marca nada en panel cuentakilómetros ni tampoco la alarma. Batería cargada bien, bornes en buen estado. Comprobado que no llega tensión al fusible general de 40A.
Me gustaría saber por donde puedo seguir con las comprobaciones . Gracias
buenas,tengo un problema eletrico en un sporter 883 del 2004 que cuando quiere voy arrancarla y no me da ni contacto ni se enciende la luz y llevo tiempo que el cuenta kilómetros solo va cuando pongo el intermitente y a veces,y cuando quiere se enciende la luz y ya va el contacto y arranca,me gustaría poder saber el esquema eléctrico o que mirar ya que veo que la batria esta bien ,es solo cuando no va las luzes no hace ni mención de arrancar.
Hola, tengo intención de poner una luz de matrícula led de Rizoma.
Para no tener que hacer empalmes en el cableado quisiera saber si existe algun latiguillo con el terminal macho y aprovechar la luz de origen sin cortar los cables, o en caso de que no exista si esta disponible la conexion macho para hecerme yo el latiguillo.
Gracias.
Saludos.
Tengo una Harley sportster 883 modelo 2005, hace poco se quemo el fusible del faro principal y trasero 25AMP, hice el cambio de fusible pero cada que giro la llave el fusible se vuelve a quemar, con un probador de corriente sencillo cheque las dos terminales del fusible y resulta que la terminal lado izquierdo mete “tierra”, me puse buscar todas las corrientes y no halle el problema, ojala me puedan ayudar saludos!!!!