Addding grounds to diode board?

Discuss all things 1970 & later Airheads right here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Zombie Master
Posts: 8813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada

Addding grounds to diode board?

Post by Zombie Master »

84 R100: Well.... while I've got things apart, maybe it's a good time to run some extra grounds. Anyone have instructions on the best way to do this? I've got some new battery cables to install as well. If the original ones look good.....should I change them anyway? :ugeek:
Any and all disclaimers may apply
Kurt in S.A.
Posts: 1577
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: Addding grounds to diode board?

Post by Kurt in S.A. »

Snowbum mentions a wiring "spider" that connects several places in the timing chest to improve grounding. It's on this page:

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/diodebds&grdgwires.htm

Look for the section starting "The grounding wires assemblies are a story in themselves". I wish he had a picture...I installed one of these many years ago. I got the harness from Motorrad Elektrik but don't see it offered on their website.

It looks like in the end, that if you're using the solid diode board mounts, the extra ground harness may not be needed.

Kurt in S.A.
User avatar
dougie
Posts: 2540
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 6:19 pm
Location: Burlington Ontario, Canada

Re: Addding grounds to diode board?

Post by dougie »

As I recall, the trick was to have grounding go directly to the battery negative terminal rather than through the engine/transmission block .
Mine was an '87 RS.
There was a grounding terminal on the frame centre rail under the tank. Diode ground went to that, then a heavy wire (12 gauge I think) went to the battery.
I've spent most of my money on women, motorcycles, and beer.
The rest of it I just wasted.
User avatar
Zombie Master
Posts: 8813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada

Re: Addding grounds to diode board?

Post by Zombie Master »

Very interesting!

I have a kit from Motorrad Elektrik I bought a few years ago. I'll make a survey of connections condition.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
Post Reply