Battery Cables

Discuss all things 1970 & later Airheads right here.
Post Reply
KellyVB 75R90S
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:08 pm

Battery Cables

Post by KellyVB 75R90S »

Was wondering if anyone use's 2 neg battery cables, 1 on ths trans and one to the frame ? I was doing that and wonder if it makes a diff.
User avatar
gspd
Posts: 1041
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:04 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by gspd »

I eliminated the ground wire going to my transmission (speedo cable bolt) decades ago.
I installed a 4g wire directly from the battery negative terminal to a starter mounting bolt, another from there to the main frame near my coil.
Made a hole in the top of the starter cover to do so.
Mechanic from Hell
"I remember every raging second of it...
My bike was on fire, the road was on fire, and I was on fire.
It was the best ride ever!"
KellyVB 75R90S
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by KellyVB 75R90S »

I have a 4ga to the trans, and another going to the coil bracket. These are fairly new cables. I read somewhere that it was good to have a case ground and a frame ground. How about dielectric grease on connections? I was thinking about using some Liqui Molly LM 508 copper based anti-seize on connections
Kurt in S.A.
Posts: 1647
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by Kurt in S.A. »

I think where you want extra grounding is at the alternator. I bought a "spider" harness from Motorrad Elektrik which installs under the front timing cover. Can't say it helped much, but I'm sure it didn't hurt.

Kurt in S.A.
KellyVB 75R90S
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by KellyVB 75R90S »

Will have to look into that. do you have a link Kurt ?
User avatar
gspd
Posts: 1041
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:04 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by gspd »

Kurt said: " think where you want extra grounding is at the alternator. I bought a "spider" harness from Motorrad Elektrik which installs under the front timing cover. "

The alternator itself is grounded by its 3 bolts, hard to improve on that.
The 'spider' harness if I'm not mistaken is for diode board grounding.
I switched to solid diode board mounts to eliminate the wires.
The rubber mounts can detach and cause the board to contact the front cover and cause a short.
https://www.boxer2valve.com/stainless-d ... s-set.html
Mechanic from Hell
"I remember every raging second of it...
My bike was on fire, the road was on fire, and I was on fire.
It was the best ride ever!"
Rob Frankham
Posts: 1214
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:11 pm
Location: Scotland UK, 20 miles from civilisation up a dead end road!
Contact:

Re: Battery Cables

Post by Rob Frankham »

This may be of some interest...

https://robfrankham.com/about-earthing

Rob
ImageImageImage
Kurt in S.A.
Posts: 1647
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm

Re: Battery Cables

Post by Kurt in S.A. »

Well, I did say "...at the alternator...". Last time I checked, the diode board was also at the alternator! :lol: Yes, I also did the solid mounts.

I checked Motorrad Elektrik's site and don't see the harness...I got it many years ago. I seem to recall I had some corrosion on the three-wire cable that went from the alternator output to the backside of the diode board. I think I called Rick and he made me the three-wire cable and I also had him make me the grounding harness...maybe I ordered it "off menu"! Snowbum discusses the harness and mentions one or more service bulletins which came out regarding the issue. Search this page for "spider"...it's near the middle of the page:

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

Kurt in S.A.
Post Reply