Wiring

[rps1116]

I know there are threads about this subject and believe me i looked but I’m trying to avoid searching through all of them so I’m asking for anyone’s help Please!!!. I have a 1977 XS650 with PMA, no battery, and kick only. I also have the license plate mount tail light/ brake light on the shifter side. So I have to run the wire from my brake switch over to the other side. My question is, can someone explain to me how to wire a tail light/ brake light? to the universal brake switch I have from TC Bros. and if i need to connect a wire to the key switch? I’ve seen some of the diagrams on this site but I’m not sure which one to use. I’m looking for something extremely simple that I can understand. I am only running a head light and tail light/brake light notheing else. I have no clue about wiring which is why I’m here. I appreciate any help input that you can offer me. I also attached a picture. Thanks

Rich

 

[Wingedwheel]

This will give you your basic circuit.

 

[rps1116]

This will give you your basic circuit.View attachment 345700

Thank You Wingedwheel. I absolutely appreciate this diagram. I will try this today after work and definitely let you know if I'm successfull.

Rich

 

[rps1116]

Thank You Wingedwheel. I absolutely appreciate this diagram. I will try this today after work and definitely let you know if I'm successfull.

Rich

Hi Wingedwheel

I tried the diagram you sent me earlier today and I’m sorry to say it didn’t work. The previous owner of this bike wired it and unfortunately I can’t reach him now. I will do my best to try and explain this wiring situation from head light to tail light so bear with me.

The headlight wires are blue and black the black is ground and the blue goes to my key switch it seems to be wired for high beam only. Next from my ignition coil is a red wire going to my key switch. My key switch is a 3 position switch off on and then accessories on. I have no battery but use a battery eliminator capacitor which is hooked up to my key switch next is the regulator rectifier which is properly connected. Now to the disaster. The tail light was wired with the red being the hot wire and the black as ground which works if I only needs a running light so the red is connected to the wire to the key switch. The tail light is from TC Bros and is self grounding and they say that the black wire is the running light and the red is for the brake light. I tried that with my brake switch and didn’t have any juice going to the tail light at all. I don’t want to have to rewire everything but I’m at a loss why this isn’t working all I want is a functioning brake light. I know this is a lot and I hope I explained it correctly. I appreciate any other advice you can throw at me. Thanks again

Rich

 

[Jan_P]

Maybe draw a schematic and post here
A brake light is usually one wire +12 V upside and one black to ground minus --
Do you measure 12 V on the upside brake lamp if not check the brake switch

 

[Wingedwheel]

If you have no power to the switch you need to trace things backwards until you find the issue. Colors might not match but the basic principle does. Battery to iggy switch and from there to switches and controls. It can get frustrating but also gets easier as you figure out your circuits.

 

[rps1116]

If you have no power to the switch you need to trace things backwards until you find the issue. Colors might not match but the basic principle does. Battery to iggy switch and from there to switches and controls. It can get frustrating but also gets easier as you figure out your circuits.

Thanks Man. I will try that today. I will keep you posted. Thanks again Bud.

 

[rps1116]

This will give you your basic circuit.View attachment 345700

Hey Bud. I just wanted to let you know that I got the brake light to work. For some reason the taillight I had on there is “self grounded” that may be true but it would not work no matter what I did. I had a 3 wire light that I bought from Amazon so I hooked that up and grounded it to my license plate bracket and VIOLA!!! I now have a working brake light/ tail light. I can’t thank you enough for your help. You were definitely right about it being frustrating and now I know I how to do it if I ever change lights again. That diagram really helped me out. Once again thank you for everything and being patient with me. I’m a pretty good mechanic and I’m a full time machinist for 30+ years but I’m am just stupid when it comes to wiring anything as cliche as that sounds I’m totally honest.

Thanks Bud

Rich