Electrical Issues

Hi Guys,

I got my first Norton about a month ago, 1971 roadster, and so far its been everything I expected (leaks oil, doesn't change worth a crap, sounds awesome etc.) I've put on about 80 miles with no issues, until tonight. A few miles from home, went to turn a corner and the bike just stalled out. When I got it going again, it was apparent that when I put on the turn indicators the head and taillight blink and the bike just flounders. Is this a bad ground somewhere? Flasher crap out? Can someone point me in the right direction on where to start looking. I think a wiring harness just passed Corbin seat as my next purchase.

Thanks for the help.

Trevor

Sounds like you need to do some major electrical investigations, starting with the charging circuit and the battery.

Dave
69S

Yes sounds like a failed normal Earth return so its taking another short cut. Likely in head lamp indicator area but check tail lens too as Earth stap can fail and flip another connection. Earth on the singles goes across the thin flaky chrome plate of wimpy plastic bulb holders then thru the hollow stem chrome into shell or frame. BTW AMC boxes may be the world nicest shifters so guess what else you'll be asking to learn about in due time.

Clutch and cable adjustment and primary chain tension also greatly influence the gearchange, so once you sort the electrics this could be next on the list. Making sure there is (enough) oil in the primary case might be in there too...

Get familiar with the wiring diagram.

Take apart every electrical connection on the bike and clean it with a brass brush and brake cleaner.
Reconnect it using dielectric grease.
Check for the 10-pak connector under the gas tank and replace it.

Make sure you have a good charged battery.
THEN start diagnosing circuits.

If you start moving stuff around, especially in the bucket without making sure you have good solid connections, the problem may seem to be resolved until you hit a bump.

A cheap($4) flasher unit can be bought at the autoparts store for a few bucks.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...iibe?itemIdentifier=372987&_requestid=3545648
A Radio shack rectifier has been on my bike for at least 2 months without issue($5.00). This is a plug and play item to replace the finned rectifier. It is also great to have as a spare or simply a troubleshooting tool if you suspect the original is bad.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062584

Piece of proverbial to rewire . IF a harness has been interfered with , first task is to remedy all that . EASIER to Start From Scratch .
That way you KNOW its ALL DONE RIGHT . No second hand dickey half er um MUCK UPS . Takes half the time to DO IT PROPERLY . :mrgreen:

Try taking the switch cluster apart, clean the all contacts and lube the signal switch with di-electric grease. I had the same issue this spring. Flipping the switch for a right turn would also operate the kill switch and kill the engine, same thing happened when turning the left signal off. Worked for me. (I am assuming the 71's have the same turn signal switch, kill switch cluster as my 74).

Matt Spencer said:

Piece of proverbial to rewire . IF a harness has been interfered with , first task is to remedy all that . EASIER to Start From Scratch .
That way you KNOW its ALL DONE RIGHT . No second hand dickey half er um MUCK UPS . Takes half the time to DO IT PROPERLY . :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

+1 First thing I junked on my bike was the wiring.

Snorton74 said:

Matt Spencer said:

Piece of proverbial to rewire . IF a harness has been interfered with , first task is to remedy all that . EASIER to Start From Scratch .
That way you KNOW its ALL DONE RIGHT . No second hand dickey half er um MUCK UPS . Takes half the time to DO IT PROPERLY . :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

+1 First thing I junked on my bike was the wiring.

Click to expand...

I think that really depends on the condition. Cleaning and replacing connections on a harness that has not been butchered will give years of use. I have rebuilt a 76 Honda, my 74 Norton and an 80 Goldwing. All are still using the original harnesses. Of course, they were all in decent shape. To say just scrap them as a matter of course, is jumping the gun a bit in my experience.

I tossed everything but the frame,engine, oil tank,fork, and hubs. Only parts worth keeping IMHO. My bike had a rough life before I acquired it, so tossing my wiring was a no brainer. Seemed like he was leaning that way, so I was just offering encouragement. Nice bike drones.

could be a poor ground, OR low grade short circuit. I agree, replacing the harness is not required if it hasn't been butchered. Troubleshoot and find the problem, fixing other small ones along the way. Read about clutches here, the gear change should be like butter. Or did you mean to write CHARGE? :mrgreen:

http://atlanticgreen.com/ndnsclutch.htm

http://atlanticgreen.com/clutchpak.htm

Thanks for the replies/tips, I realize troubleshooting electrical issues is near to impossible without all and/or incorrect information.

concours said:

Or did you mean to write CHARGE?

Click to expand...

I was off on a moose hunt, so didn't have a chance to correct until now. I did mean to write charge...the other time she quit was on a ride after dark, the headlight is so dim I just left it on hi beam...and that lasted for about 15 minutes. It does seem to be charging though so am going to have the battery tested this morning to try and eliminate some of the easy fixes. The only butchering of the harness that I know of is the signal lights I had installed by a british bike shop prior to purchase, so will start there, and clean connections as I go.

It's too cold to ride here now (calling for snow tomorrow) so will have time to start going through the bike...I think the learning curve might be a little steeper than anticipated.

Thanks again
Trevor