Wiring problem report

As usual, cannot find my own post about proper wiring of the ignition switch.
Took my switch apart found nothing even remotely wrong. The bike is new to
me so who knows what it did or did not do.
Well final report is that I went to AN for a new ignition switch sans tumbler.
Inserted my key assembly and hooked up per the book diagram. Instant
success. Suspect simply the wrong switch not a malfunction of that switch.
Sometimes it pays to spend.
However, as I wanted a pilot light at 20 watts halogen as a daytime light,
I installed a 3 position toggle in the lamp (Triumph) and was able to get
it to work in the middle position and off in the main bulb position. Lost
the ability to have a parking light however. Acceptable trade off. Odd
that Norton in 74 ran the pilot on when you are on the mains.
Lame.

Maybe this will help http://www.oldbritts.com/51_121015.html

Onder said:

Odd that Norton in 74 ran the pilot on when you are on the mains.
Lame.

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I'm not sure why you consider this odd? I've never owned or seen a bike where the pilot lamp goes off when the main bulb is switched on unless an owner has specifically wired it to do so.

L.A.B. said:

Onder said:

Odd that Norton in 74 ran the pilot on when you are on the mains.
Lame.

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I'm not sure why you consider this odd? I've never owned or seen a bike where the pilot lamp goes off when the main bulb is switched on unless an owner has specifically wired it to do so.

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A cultural chasm maybe? US spec doesn't require (motorcycle) pilot lamps, we sometimes tend to think of them as superfluous, and US and Jap made bikes didn't use them then. Just a thought :mrgreen:

concours said:

A cultural chasm maybe? US spec doesn't require (motorcycle) pilot lamps, we sometimes tend to think of them as superfluous, and US and Jap made bikes didn't use them then. Just a thought :mrgreen:

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Maybe, as UK Japanese bikes, BMWs etc. usually have a pilot light that doesn't switch off when the headlamp is switched on.

However I believe US bikes often had (or have) turn signal/blinkers with additional running lamps? That's something we don't have in the UK (I think it would be illegal here). Use of daytime headlamps isn't compulsory here either-except during conditions of reduced visibility (fog, heavy ran, snow, etc.).

Book doesnt seem to say specifically, but the toggle only controls on/off for the
main beams. I suppose Maylar
could chime in, he has had his bike since new.
The years have flown but I think earlier bikes had the three position toggle
giving you ability to run all the lights, ignition and then toggle between pilot
in the headlamp OR the main beam.
For bikes with the two position toggle, 4 postion key, parking is in the first key position tail and pilot no ignition,
key being removable.
Next is no key no current anywhere.
Then ignition only , finally ignition and pilot or main beams which is not
original but what I want as I wish to run a 20 watt pilot.

Onder said:

but what I want as I wish to run a 20 watt pilot.

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Not all Lucas three position toggle switches are the same internally. Not all have eight spade terminals.

If you have a switch where the 1,3,5,7 terminals are common at all three switch positions, a separate pilot bulb wire (RB on wiring diag.) can be connected to terminal 6, the pilot will then go off when the switch is toggled to the headlamp position.



Triumph and Norton appeared to discontinue this practice of switching off the pilot after 1970, possibly the pilot light was regarded as a safety feature in case of bulb failure, and certainly every bike I've owned including Japanese and German the pilot lamp always remained on with the headlamp on.

The original headlight switch (Part number 34660) on the Norton Commando from (I believe) 1971 has 4 terminals on the switch. All you need to do is disconnect the pilot light at the bullet terminals, and if the wires are long enough replace the bullet connectors with 1/4 inch lucar type terminals and connect to the 2 unused terminals on the headlight switch. Now the headlight and the pilot light will switch on and off alternatively. Basically the headlight switch is 2 separate switches in one. When the headlight switch is in one position one set of switch contacts will be closed while the other will be open. Conversely when the switch is in the other position the opposite switch contacts will close while the others will open.

OK I will get that switch, thx!

Onder said:

OK I will get that switch, thx!

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Unfortunately sourcing a part number 34660 light switch may be very difficult. I don't think there are any new ones being made. I am not sure if Andover Norton sells that switch or if they have a substitute that may not work for headlight and pilot light switching. However there is a way around that. Lucas has a switch that basically is a 2 position single pull double throw switch that can be made to work with very minimal wiring changes. The only thing is that with your master switch in the pilot light position, you can also turn on your headlight as well as the pilot light. If you cannot find the 34660 switch, let me know and I can give you additional information on the alternate switch idea.

PeterJoe said:

Onder said:

OK I will get that switch, thx!

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Unfortunately sourcing a part number 34660 light switch may be very difficult. I don't think there are any new ones being made.

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The three position Lucas 35710 switch will work if it is wired according to the previous wiring diagram I posted, as a 35710 switch should not be difficult to find.
Note that for '71-'74 machines, connect terminal 4 to a white harness wire, not white/brown [WN] as shown on the diagram (also incorrectly marked [WG]) . because white/brown is the charge warning lamp to assimilator wire, 71-on.