1974 850 igniton switch wiring

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I have a really wierd ignition switch on my 74 850 Roadster.
I bought the bike last fall after it had been stored since 1994. It wasn't in the best of shape, but I did get it started and rode it around the block before pulling it in the garage for a winter of rebuild.
One thing that was weird was that it only had a two position key switch instead of what I believe should be a four positon switch. What made it even more weird is that the only to remove the key was to move it to the own position. Kind of makes it hard to take the key out at the local donut store....lol!
Anyway, I finaly got around to having a look at the switch earlier today. The service manual that I have is for 850s and 750s from 1970 on. It has wiring diagrams in it, one pre 71, one for 71 and one for 72 and 73. I assumed that the 74 was the same as the 73 since my understanding is that it was not until 75 that the elctric start was introduced. Anyway, when I look at the main switch on the wiring diagram it has it has four connectors. Mine has a five spade connectors on it and since the only markings on it say "made in the USA" I'm presuming it was something that was installed by the previous owner. All of the wires are the same as in my diagram. Double Brown/Blue on one connector, double white on one conector, double brown/ green on one connector and a single blue/yellow on another. Here is the kicker. My switch also has a fifth connector with a white/purple on it. I've traced it to a coil .

A few questions.

Does any one have any idea of what the white /purple is for ? Does anyone have a proper wiring diagram for a 74 850? And I obviously need to get a switch that I can get the key out of without having the power turned on to the bike. Should I go with the stock lucas switch or are there better replacements?

Thanks for the help!
 
The 1973 wiring diagram is the same for the 1974 as well. The one thing wrong with the diagram is that the handlebar switches are labeled incorrectly and also some connectors aren't exactly accurate as to the placement on the motorcycle.

The purple and white wire that you described was intended to be used in conjunction with the starter motor that was never installed on the Norton (this wire is not shown in the wiring diagram). This wire should have terminated somewhere under the seat by the battery along with a white and red wire and was intended to be connected to a starter solenoid. The wire's function was to be a ballast resistor bypass while the starter motor was engaged. Apparently somebody decided that the ballast resistor needed to be bypassed at all times. Really a weird way of going about it. Makes me wonder if your bike has 6 or 12 volt spark coils? If you have the original 6 volt coils you need that ballast resistor. Of course if you are running with 12 volt coils then the ballast resistor is not needed at all. Once again I am assuming that the bike has the original points ignition system.

My 1974 Norton has the original ignition switch on it and I have never had a problem with it. However due to its age I did take it apart, clean the switch contacts and re-lubed it.
 
Skelly said:
Does any one have any idea of what the white /purple is for ?

White/Purple is the power wire from the ballast resistor to (both) coil negative terminals, unfortunately the White/Purple colour code is missing from the '71-'73 (use '72-'73 for '74) wiring diagrams.

Your wiring harness probably has a continuation of this White/Purple wire running back to the battery compartment, (as PeterJoe explained) it's purpose, was as a ballast resistor bypass wire from the starter solenoid, however the starter motor assembly and solenoid the factory intended to fit from 1971 was never used, but the ballast resistor and 6V coils were fitted from that point, and the solenoid wiring included in the harness so that particular White/Purple wire and also the White/Red to the battery compartment can be disregarded (and isolated) as they serve no useful purpose.

Skelly said:
My switch also has a fifth connector with a white/purple on it. I've traced it to a coil .

I suggest you disconnect it from the Ign. switch if the coils are original 6V type. If that results in no sparks at the plugs, check the normal power supply routing of: Ign./Sw. - White - Kill Switch - White/Yellow - White/Blue - Ballast resistor - White/Purple - Coils(-).


PeterJoe said:
The one thing wrong with the diagram is that the handlebar switches are labeled incorrectly


Norton Service Release N3/3

Reversal of handlebar switch clusters.

Late 1972 Commando - all models.
Worldwide (for general distribution),
As a direct result of user requests for right hand operation of the direction
indicators, the decision has been taken to interchange the left and right hand switch clusters.
To save changing wiring colour identification at 6 connectors, the functions of kill button
and headlamp flasher and spare button and horn shown in Illustration 2 of the Riders Manual
are also reversed.
New prints of the handbook will include this modified layout but where motorcycles have been
despatched which are at variance to the handbook, the supplying dealer is requested
to acquaint the new owner with the revised layout. From the time of the changeover,
the revised control positions will be:

LEFT HAND
Top button - Headlamp flasher
Lever switch - Dipswitch
Bottom button - Horn

RIGHT HAND
Top button - Spare button
Lever switch - Direction indicators
Bottom button - Kill button

ACTION: Ensure that all new owners of modified models
are suitably briefed.


May 1972
 
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