Wire/connector question for R/R replacement

[posplayr]

OK, then, let's inform your mind.

Back in the days when the bikes had operating headlight switches, they ran that loop from the stator to the headlight switch, then back down to the r/r. There were two separate circuits connectd to the headlight switch. One of them switched DC power from the fuse to the headlight. The other one switched AC power from the third leg of the stator. This prevented the r/r from working so hard when the headlight was turned off, as the third leg was turned off at the same time.

To keep the wiring harnesses somewhat universal between the various markets, there was a connector along the way. All of the ones I have seen were under the gas tank, posplayr says his were in the headlight bucket. Either way, it was a 9-pin (or so) connector. When there was a headlight switch, the harness that plugged into that connector split to its various locations, one of them directed the stator wire to the left handgrip, then brought the switched wire back to the 9-pin connector. When they discontinued the headlight switch (at least in the US market), they did not change the main harness, as it still worked it other markets, they just changed the harness that went to the front. Instead of wires leading to a non-functional switch in the handgrip, there is just a loop of wire that sends it back to the r/r unswitched.

If you look at this diagram that posplayr showed, you can see the loop. Look at the top, just below the engine stop switch and starter button. There is a long black line that is the connector. Toward the right end of that connector you can see the green/white wire coming from the stator, through the connector, then looping over to the red/white wire and back to the r/r.

If you look at this diagram from a '79 850, you can see how it used to be. The stator is still on the bottom, just right of center. Follow the green/white wire to the left and down to the connector, then to the headlight switch. The red/white wire comes out of the headlight switch, through the connector, then back to the r/r. Easy to see when you have color diagrams.

Do ya feel edumacated now?

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Steve,
Sorry to be such a stickler, but as you know I had used the freeed up loop back wires for controlling a coil relay mod. If anybody was following that they would not find it under the tank for E's but rather in the headlamp bucket.
Jim

 

[Nessism]

OK, then, let's inform your mind.

Back in the days when the bikes had operating headlight switches.....

Do ya feel edumacated now?

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Thanks Steve. I've heard about the circuit compensating for the lack of headlamp load before but your explanation sheds some light on that subject.

As an aside, I had to open the harness...again, so I stripped out those W/G and W/R wires out. Hadn't thought about using those leads for the coil relay mod. Hope I don't regret my decision.

 

[Steve]

... but as you know I had used the freeed up loop back wires for controlling a coil relay mod. If anybody was following that they would not find it under the tank for E's but rather in the headlamp bucket.

I am finding out that different bikes have that plug in different locations, but it still has just a loop that sends the wire back to the r/r. I like your idea for using that wire for the coil relay mod. Have not had to do that, but will consider those wires if I ever find it necessary. Might also find another use for them, you never know.

Thanks Steve. I've heard about the circuit compensating for the lack of headlamp load before but your explanation sheds some light on that subject.

Very punny.

It's not very often that I shed new light on a subject, but those that know me will admint that I do use a different filter.

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[Guest]

Back in the days when the bikes had operating headlight switches, they ran that loop from the stator to the headlight switch, then back down to the r/r. There were two separate circuits connectd to the headlight switch. One of them switched DC power from the fuse to the headlight. The other one switched AC power from the third leg of the stator. This prevented the r/r from working so hard when the headlight was turned off, as the third leg was turned off at the same time.

To keep the wiring harnesses somewhat universal between the various markets, there was a connector along the way....... When there was a headlight switch, the harness that plugged into that connector split to its various locations, one of them directed the stator wire to the left handgrip, then brought the switched wire back to the 9-pin connector. When they discontinued the headlight switch (at least in the US market), they did not change the main harness, as it still worked it other markets, they just changed the harness that went to the front. Instead of wires leading to a non-functional switch in the handgrip, there is just a loop of wire that sends it back to the r/r unswitched.

wonderfully written steve!

i have come to the same conclusion after chasing my tail for a while - mainly because i kept getting confusing information on the subject - until i realized that non usa markets had a working headlight switch on all gs/gsx models irrespective of the model year (so, well past the 1980 when the law changed in the usa)

 

[Steve]

wonderfully written steve!

Thanks.

One word that has never been used to describe me is "concise".

Fortunately, I have at least been able to use my verbosity to explain things clearly, at times.

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