ready aim...

[Patrick_Krivacka]

thanks y'all. I do some digging around when I get home.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

ok, this weird. I got home and pulled both fuses out and found them to be intact, so I put them back in. i put the key in and turned it on with the thought that I might try and giggle a few wires and see if anything happens. Instead, when I put the key in and turned it on, all systems were go!? started right up like nothing had ever happened!? can't help but be somewhat happy, but I also don't trust it. Feedback?

the wiring harness has been pretty much unwrapped. does anyone have any thoughts on rewrapping? Just rewrap with electrical tape? other?

[Landlubber]

...when making wiring harnesses, you do NOT use electrical sticky tape, there is a simple plastic wrap that is used, no sticky tape.

...if you look up wire harness makers, they will normally just give you a roll of the stuff...I make wiring harnesses for boats, do it with a board and nails, then wrap in tape and/or conduit....obviously no conduit on the scooter cos of space, but the principles are the same.

[montmil]

i-man,  am ya still using the "euro-style" ceramic and wire fuses?   Monte

[Patrick_Krivacka]

no, I followed your lead and changed over to the blade type fuses.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

is there an alternative starter relay we can use on our bikes? I read somewhere of someone using a ford relay on a r80. anything like that work on our r65?

[k_enn]

It appears that there are substitute sources for starter relays:

http://www.airheads.org/content/view/159/98/


Be careful to compare your old relay to the new -- pay attention to the circuit depiction on the relay cover.  The comments to the relay types in the referenced article are not necessarily accurate -- the article says my 1982 should be what they show as style "C", in actuality it is the style "D".  

Also, starter relays are generally available through some of the BMW dealers that have an internet sales arm.  I just got one from Bob's BMW (in Maryland), and Max's BMW (New Hampshire shop, not New York) had them is stock a couple of weeks ago.

k_enn

[Bob_Roller]

There's one peculiar aspect for BMW motorcycles, form the '81 model year bikes, there is a diode in the starter relay .

Without this diode installed, you may have a neutral light that comes on every time you pull the clutch lever in .

Just a warning if you go to a non-OEM part .

[Patrick_Krivacka]

after messing with it today, I'm pretty sure it's the harness and not the relay. I'm biding on one on ebay, so wish me luck (and don't bid against me!)

[Patrick_Krivacka]

got the new harness. No joy. there are several plugs/wires that don't have mates. Not too surprising considering that we're talking about the frankenbeemer, but I should be getting something, no? Actually the gen light comes on, but that's it. I know the brown and black wirer that connects to the transmission bolt isn't hooked up. and the brown and green (or is it the green and brown) wirer isn't hooked up, but that shouldn't keep me from being able to turn it over, should it? there's a plug with several wires that doesn't have a mate, but according to the WD, thats the hazard warning connector, so that shouldn't matter, right? I just want to be able to turn the thing over and go from there. Can anyone tell me the wires that must be connected to be able to do that?

[Patrick_Krivacka]

well, since no one replied, I decided to see what I can do (this must be what a baby bird feels like when it's thrown out of the nest!) I hooked up a couple of wires (brown and black, that's a ground that connects to the trans blot (?) by the gear shift. And the green and brown that I'm guessin' is the oil pressure something or another) Anyway, got all dash lights and it cranks!!
that's very encouraging, but it's not over. I still have a few wires with no where to go. If anyone could chew up some food and regurgitate it into my mouth, i'd be grateful. let me know if you need the color of the wires in the photo.

[montmil]

Are you able to match up wires n' terminals from the fried loom to the new/old one?

"It cranks"  Does it fire/run? It's gotta be a tough nut for you to figure out just what's what on the FrankenBeemer. Just imagine what it must be like for us.

Keep after it, i-man. Wire colors may not match up exactly but a DVOM and a wiring diagram will help. I'd guess that the pictured wires with only one lead and a female spade end may likely be for bulbs that are self-grounding? Or a horn? Or...  $0.02.

Press on [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[Patrick_Krivacka]

ah, a friendly voice! it doesn't run. you remember my coil? (THE COIL!) well it's got a wire that was woven into the old loom that I'm sure wasn't original.  I've decided to treat that as a separate thing for the time being, so I had no expectation that it would run.
I know that this is hard for all of you to follow, 'cuz I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what questions to ask, and how to ask them. Anyway, I guess what I'm after is to figure out if those wires go anywhere, and if it even matters. Then we get to look at that coil again (call your friends and family) and we'll see if we can figure out where this one wire ( that I'm sure is important ) goes.
Also, please don't be afraid to ask me what the hell i'm talkin' about. you can even preface it 'hey stupid', or my favorite, 'hey knucklehead.'

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I-Man, my suggestion is that we need to get Monte headed your way.  The guy really needs a vacation and to get out of town.  He doesn't eat much and only needs a few bottles of beer to keep him content.  His wife has only been retired for a few weeks but I'm sure that he's driving her nuts, so open up your heart, and garage, and get him to make a run to beyootiful N.C. to help you out.  You'd be doing him, and her, a huge favor!  (I am electrically challenged or I'd be there in a heartbeat.)

[Patrick_Krivacka]

say, that's a good idea. i bet NC is even kinda' nice compared to Texas this time of year.