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re-wiring my bike

4849 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  exploring/carolina
I posted this in the tech help forum before i even realized there was a forum for custom/mod topics, i think it probably belongs here instead...(pasting the text)



okay, first off, since i still haven't changed my signature, i have an '81 cx500C...now, down to business. i'm turning this bike into a custom something or other (most likely café racer) and i want to dramatically reduce the stuff on this bike, including the wiring. what i want to do is dump the ignition switch and key, and use a switch with push start set-up, that is, have a switch that turns on all systems and doubles as a kill switch, with a push button start to activate the ignition process. i'd like to keep brake lights and turn signals, and i can go either way on the high beam, though it'd be nice to have, just in case i want to take my handy to spotlight for deer in the field. i just finished browsing all 14 pages of the tech forum and have seen some useful info in the form of wiring diagrams (which i've downloaded and will definitely use), but what i'm looking for now is any advice from anyone who has done this in the past. i mean, i am fully prepared to spend a few days and brain cells tracing wires and trial-and-error testing, but if there's anyone who knows what's up already i'd appreciate the info. is it even possible to do this with the cdi/stator system? i'm not an expert on bike wiring, so anything i do at this point is pretty much shooting in the dark. any ideas? i guess my main area of concern is condensing everything the ignition switch does into a single on/off switch...but given my limited knowledge in this area, i may well be vastly understating the challenge ahead.



thanks!!



~J
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I have changed the old switches with new (F4) switches so I am familliar with the electrical system. There is really not much to be saved by taking wires off the stock harness. Most of the harness is under the tank therefore out of sight. Also all of the wires are needed. Your best bet is to relocate the battery under the engine and free up the space where the batery and airbox resides. This will give a clean cafe racer look. You will need to make a batery box and use a smaller battery. I use the one for a Yamaha R1. The regulator can be relocated to the batery box so that will clean up the right side of the bike. Just my own opinion.
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