Testing electronics

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  • VABushPig
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    Testing electronics

    Do I need to have the engine installed to test the electric system? I'm rewiring and want to be sure everything is working and routed before I replace the engine.
  • Rich82GS750TZ
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Jun 2018
    • 5568
    • Mifflinburg, PA / Land of Tar & Chip

    #2
    Outside of checking battery voltage and whether or not your lights, signals, and horn work, I'm not sure what you hope to check. As far as I know, no part of the charging system can be checked unless the bike is running. You could ohm check the stator but I think most believe that's not a useful test anyway. Of course I've been wrong before and I'm sure I'll be wrong again.
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    • VABushPig

      #3
      I'm just looking to test lights, signal's, and horn, baby steps.

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      • LAB3
        Forum Sage
        Past Site Supporter
        • Mar 2018
        • 3491
        • No fixed address

        #4
        Originally posted by VABushPig
        I'm just looking to test lights, signal's, and horn, baby steps.
        Don't see why not, hook up a battery, jump box etc and give it a try. Can't think of a way you'll harm anything.
        2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (Current bike)
        1982 GS450txz (former bike)

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        • Guest

          #5
          Engine doesn't really draw anything from the electrical system when it's not running. coil load, but I think that's static while engine is not running?

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          • fbody_mike
            Forum Mentor
            • Oct 2017
            • 360
            • San Gabriel Valley CA

            #6
            Just be very careful of disconnected wires shorting to ground. Like the starter wire, etc. If spark plug wires are just hanging they may arc when you switch the ignition off.
            1981 Suzuki GS250T
            1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo
            1985 Suzuki GS550E
            2004 Suzuki GSF1200S

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