kdotlowe Posted November 3, 2017 Author Share Posted November 3, 2017 Making a start on the part that I've been dreading most - wiring. I've never scratch built a loom before so I'm still getting my head around understanding the original wiring diagram and creating my own to suit my needs. These old Honda Twins have pretty shitty charging systems that only charge above a certain RPM or when the headlights are on (I think). Decided to change out the rectifier to a rectifier/regulator which will allow the battery to be charging at all RPMs. $11 unit from a lawnmower which is a common upgrade on these 175s. Just need to bridge 2 wires and then it will plug n play just like the old one! Starting to mock up an electronics tray to keep everything tidy. Making sure everything fits. Still need to fit a flasher relay in there, but I'll make it work. The standard loom only had one main fuse but I'm going to run the ignition/lighting/main/aux all of their own fuse. Mint! Now to make it out of sheet metal. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 New bits! Including possibly the tiniest switch block ever. Not sure how to wire up the ridiculously small wires or if they'll even handle the right amperage. But hey. They look good. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raizer Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Nice looking switchgear! I'm dealing with tiny gauge wires on switches too, I think I'm just going to add relays to everything as I really don't want to run headlights etc through them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 8 hours ago, Raizer said: Nice looking switchgear! I'm dealing with tiny gauge wires on switches too, I think I'm just going to add relays to everything as I really don't want to run headlights etc through them. Yeah looking at it last night, I think this will be my only option also. Relay for horn and highbeam, and have the main headlight switch on with ignition. LED indicators should be sweet through the switches I think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raizer Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Good idea with the led indicators, as long as you're running them on a DC circuit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z18et1200coupe Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Bike is looking rad dude! Also, I've got those same mini switch clusters (from Modern Motorcycle Company?), and I've run everything through them without relays and they seem to be holding up fine. All of my bulbs are LED but the horn and kill switch would draw plenty of current. Everything still seems to be sweet! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abarth Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 My Honda has same equally as bad charging system but after changing over to the new reg/rectifier and LEDs (brakes, dials, park light) I can drive round with the headlight on 100% of the time without the battery going flat. Definitely worth doing. Are you running the 35w headlight? Mine still does, its not great, thinking of switching to 55w but again back to power issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 On 11/18/2017 at 16:42, z18et1200coupe said: Bike is looking rad dude! Also, I've got those same mini switch clusters (from Modern Motorcycle Company?), and I've run everything through them without relays and they seem to be holding up fine. All of my bulbs are LED but the horn and kill switch would draw plenty of current. Everything still seems to be sweet! Yeah mine are from MMC also. That's good to know! Did you use the same gauge wire to run to the lighting? Or did you step up to a larger one? The wires are tiny! 20 hours ago, Abarth said: My Honda has same equally as bad charging system but after changing over to the new reg/rectifier and LEDs (brakes, dials, park light) I can drive round with the headlight on 100% of the time without the battery going flat. Definitely worth doing. Are you running the 35w headlight? Mine still does, its not great, thinking of switching to 55w but again back to power issues. Rad. That's the result I'm hoping for. Haven't actually received my headlight yet... I think it's a 55w one however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kdotlowe Posted November 19, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 19, 2017 Oh yeah, also bought (another) distraction. 1979 XL100s. Was so cheap I couldn't say no. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63Ragtop Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 GIZ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOHC Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Where did you get that regulator / rectifie from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 @SOHC it's this one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/232418635440 Keep in mind I haven't tested it yet. But I hear good things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOHC Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 On 11/24/2017 at 08:02, kdotlowe said: @SOHC it's this one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/232418635440 Keep in mind I haven't tested it yet. But I hear good things. If its not suitable for you bike I will swap you for another one witch is witch has 3 wires for the stator, one to bat+ one to earth on the frame. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Awesome! I'll keep that in mind @SOHC. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 Eletcronics tray all folded out of steel. Now just need to source a battery and I'm a ready to run all the wiring. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kdotlowe Posted December 30, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 30, 2017 Been a little slow on the updates but I've been painting, polishing and reassembling while I procrastinate finishing the wiring. Pretty stoked with how she's looking. 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 New year, new motivation. Bike now has power. Need to find a suitable battery that will fit the little space I have left. Also found a place where I can hide a coil. The coil wont fit in the original position due to the new tank. Just need to whip together a little mount or drill another mounting hole. Next plan is to get the new air filters, coil and wire the ignition. That should be the bare minimum I need to get the bike running... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 Headlight fitted thanks to a friend who has access to a water cutter. Bracket still needs to be painted but it's got me excited for how the whole build is coming together. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 I'm lucky enough to have a friend who just purchased an ultrasonic cleaner. Cleaned a whole lot of small bits including the original carbs. I should've taken before & after shots, but it did a bloody good job of making everything look like new again. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdotlowe Posted January 23, 2018 Author Share Posted January 23, 2018 Some ghetto ass cardboard mockups to give an idea of how high the seat will be. I hope to get the seat pan off to Greg at Midnight Upholstery to work his magic. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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