FLH Shovelhead ground
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 174
From: Edgewater, FL.
FLH Shovelhead ground
I had no luck in the electrical section. Hopefully this will be the right section.
I am doing a frame up restoration on a 1976 FLH. I am starting to go back with the electric and notice all grounds are through the frame.
Including all forward of the neck. Looking at the wiring diagram I see no ground path back to the frame for any of the components forward.
Looks like the circuit through the well greased neck bearings would be a bad path.
Looks like ti would be good to run a separate ground back from the triple tree at least back to the dash.
Thoughts??
I am doing a frame up restoration on a 1976 FLH. I am starting to go back with the electric and notice all grounds are through the frame.
Including all forward of the neck. Looking at the wiring diagram I see no ground path back to the frame for any of the components forward.
Looks like the circuit through the well greased neck bearings would be a bad path.
Looks like ti would be good to run a separate ground back from the triple tree at least back to the dash.
Thoughts??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Ok some of the harness that are available do not have the factory diagram in the package - its the idiot who sells the harness idea
having said that - yes the frame is tha main ground as the battery goes directly to the top cross rail at the front of the fender struts r/s
the top tree sits on enough metal to ground its self to the frame - its the way its been done for a 100 years or more the machines metal frame is the main ground
post a picture of what they gave you for a guide in installing the harness - do you have the factory service and parts books ?????
having said that - yes the frame is tha main ground as the battery goes directly to the top cross rail at the front of the fender struts r/s
the top tree sits on enough metal to ground its self to the frame - its the way its been done for a 100 years or more the machines metal frame is the main ground
post a picture of what they gave you for a guide in installing the harness - do you have the factory service and parts books ?????
Last edited by johnjzjz; Apr 11, 2023 at 05:50 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Been through the wiring diagram a thousand times and never noticed there was no conductor for ground. The only time I had a grounding problem was with the horn in the nacelle, and that was local ( the screw/washer corroded) so in many years of service, only had the neck bearings to provide ground path with no issues. That being said, a dedicated ground back to the frame would be a good practice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Been through the wiring diagram a thousand times and never noticed there was no conductor for ground. The only time I had a grounding problem was with the horn in the nacelle, and that was local ( the screw/washer corroded) so in many years of service, only had the neck bearings to provide ground path with no issues. That being said, a dedicated ground back to the frame would be a good practice.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,610
Likes: 3,377
From: Cental, MI
Warning...If you used Powder Coating ...better triple check yer grounds!!!
And John gots it, of course... all I have ever seen post 1973, have a Ground from frame to Tree..
Thinking my '68 did also...need to check...
And John gots it, of course... all I have ever seen post 1973, have a Ground from frame to Tree..
Thinking my '68 did also...need to check...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
If the horn is in the housing then you have a ground going from the horn to the top tree
we also take a free stud on the baker light and make it a ground for something not installed yet
we also take a free stud on the baker light and make it a ground for something not installed yet
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 174
From: Edgewater, FL.
Ground
I am reinstalling the original harness. It does not have a dedicated ground. Nor was there on when I disassembled the bike. The horn bracket has a small ground strap that runs from one side of the vibration isolator to the other.
I think for good practice, I will add a strap from triple tree to frame.
thanks.
I think for good practice, I will add a strap from triple tree to frame.
thanks.