Triumph Wiring Question

1222 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Tony the torch, Dec 28, 2011

ALS

Discussion Starter · Dec 28, 2011

I recently got my hands on a 72 Tiger 650 (OIF) and the wiring harness has been ditched for a hackjob attempt at wiring the bike. Anyway to make a long story short, I'm not buying a new wiring harness when I can re-wire it myself.

The guy before me tried to wire the bike using some red wire that is about as kind on the eyes as is the OIF frame. I'm looking to run black wire, and although this is a NOOB question, what guage do most of you run, and where can I buy a spool of it (unless you all recommend going to one of the main Hardware stores). I ask b/c all the stranded wire at the local Home Dep0 had white writing on it and as this is my first attempt to wire a bike, I want to use the right stuff.

I tried to start her this weekend but whenever I hooked up the new battery, the old regulator/rectifyer going to the stator started smoking (it hooks up to both the neg & pos battery terminals according to the hack, with both yellow wires going to stator). Guessing this regulator/rectifyer has seen better days as it looks to be 20yrs old, no zener diode or condensor on the bike. As the bike is wired now, it's positive to frame with approx 3 other wires going from the positive frame location to one of the coils, headlamp, and iginition (I believe); four wires on top of one another on the frame location (this guy was good), so the old rectifyer/regulator doesn't seem to be grounded unless the positive off the frame serves as an appropriate ground (and here is where the NOOB reveals himself).

I'm just afraid if it isn't the rectifyer, I'll be toasting the new podtronics one I ordered if I continue down this road. Strongly debating on just picking up a boyer box but would like to get her fired up on the points to see if I have a running bike. Any help would be appreciated.

See less See more

Save

1 - 12 of 12 Posts

Tony the torch

· #2 · Dec 28, 2011

the bike should be wired in automotive grade 16 gauge wire. on a stock Triumphs all red wires are positive and they originally came as a positive ground (earth) bike. you can change your bike to a negative ground if you want. the regulator/rectifier is that thing with the yellow wires going into it and if it smoked it's likely bad now.
Going by your questions it sounds like you really need to use the search on this site and use Google to search for Triumph M/C wiring diagrams.

Save

ALS

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 28, 2011

Thanks for the info, I'll be stopping by the auto parts store this afternoon, I pulled some diagrams, and they seem simple enough, but some are wired for neg ground, while others are pos ground, any suggestions on which I should go for with future upgrades in mind (boyer). Anyone got a good diagram?

Save

kimfmx

· #4 · Dec 28, 2011

Hi,

I undestand you want to make the wireing yourself, and also undestand why. The wireings of these bikes are so simple, its much cheaper to just pull the wires yourselv, and solder here and there, and that way you also have option to improve the design.

The original makes usually made a cost/benefit choise when choosing the gauge. and on old 6Volt systems this is important. I have rewired several old 6V bikes, and you can rely see the diference when replacing the wires with some heavy gauge minimum 2,5mm^2 wires.

but still keeps it all at 6V,

Happy Wireing.

Save

kimfmx

· #5 · Dec 28, 2011

For positive and negative, do what the easiest.. I think most regulators you can get in both positive and negative versions.

To change you need to look at your battery, regulator/rectifyer and possibly your generator depending on type.

Save

Nottso

· #6 · Dec 28, 2011

Do yourself a favor and buy non-insulated terminals and solder them to the wires. Then insulate the terminals with quality heat-shrink tubing. The good heat-shrink remains somewhat flexible after it's shrunk. Crimp connectors suck.

Save

ALS

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 28, 2011

Tony: I searched for a wiring diagram and studied the Rask Cycle one you linked to in a prior post (http://raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc16.html). It looks good, thanks, but I see they are running two condensors from the coils. Will I be able to run my bike without the condensors or do I have to pick up two new ones?

Tony the torch said:
the bike should be wired in automotive grade 16 gauge wire. on a stock Triumphs all red wires are positive and they originally came as a positive ground (earth) bike. you can change your bike to a negative ground if you want. the regulator/rectifier is that thing with the yellow wires going into it and if it smoked it's likely bad now.
Going by your questions it sounds like you really need to use the search on this site and use Google to search for Triumph M/C wiring diagrams.

Save

kimfmx

· #8 · Dec 28, 2011

Thumbs up for Nottso,

Always hate those Crimp things that uses pliers.. when you have a bad connection and you can move the wire harness, its usually because the crimp is bad.. solder and you will have no problems for sure..

Save

oilslix

· #9 · Dec 28, 2011

i have yet to see a decent repro loom for british bikes. they seem flimsy and shit qality. does anyone recomend a good brand that they actualy used and are happy with.

Save

Tony the torch

· #10 · Dec 28, 2011

if you have a points ignition you will need condensers, if you change it it an electronic ignition you can eliminate the condensers.
Most every aftermarket charge unit can be wired positive or negative ground depending on which wire you connect to ground, red or black.

Save

ALS

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 28, 2011

Here is one I was thinking about buying, but decided against it because of the price, for that amount, I can buy a boyer box and run my own wires but I have to say it looks quality.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130571942369?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

oilslix said:
i have yet to see a decent repro loom for british bikes. they seem flimsy and shit qality. does anyone recomend a good brand that they actualy used and are happy with.

Save

Tony the torch

· #12 · Dec 28, 2011

oilslix said:
i have yet to see a decent repro loom for british bikes. they seem flimsy and shit qality. does anyone recomend a good brand that they actualy used and are happy with.

I've used several replacement wire looms, they are ok but many of the circuits are 18 gauge wire so that's why they feel flimsy.
the big issue is they are a generic loom and not an exact replacement for any particular year bike and you end up with incorrect and unnecessary wires everywhere.
So the answer to your question is ...no.

Save

1 - 12 of 12 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month