Mystery wire?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 20, 2011 | 01:38 PM

Catfish57

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 268

Likes: 0

From: Western, Massachusetts

Mystery wire?

While switching out my riser bushings for solid mount bushings the other day. I broke a wire that runs from the riser bolt under the triple tree and attaches to the back side of the triple tree. This wire has been on every Harley that I have had and has been in the way ever time I need to do anything that has to do with handlebar replacement or triple tree work.
The strange part is when I started the bike and road it around, the bike road fine, all the lights, signals, everything seemed tpo work fine. Obviously the wire is there for a reason? But for the life of me I cant figure out why?? Is it some kind of ground wire for lighting? Is it really nessesary? Thanks

Feb 20, 2011 | 01:52 PM

Mike NY

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,210

Likes: 12

From: Westchester, NY

Yes, it's a ground wire. It's connects the front end so you have a completed grounded bike.

I would fix it. You never know when it may cause an issue...

Mike
NY

Feb 20, 2011 | 02:06 PM

RANGER73

Club Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 15,424

Likes: 7,120

From: Beyond Fucital

Ya ground wire, so there's a solid mechanical ground from frame to forks. The fork bolt is in bearings so it can move. The grease and road grime could cause your lights (front) to be dim or not work. Reconnect it.

Feb 20, 2011 | 02:20 PM

WFA

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 301

Likes: 7

From: NORTH CAROLINA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger73

ya ground wire, so there's a solid mechanical ground from frame to forks. The fork bolt is in bearings so it can move. The grease and road grime could cause your lights (front) to be dim or not work. Reconnect it.

i agree for the most part. The primary purpose of this "ground wire" is to assure electrical controls are well grounded on the handle bars. Recall that regular handle bar bushings sit in a rubber base bushing. If he is going to solid bushings he may or may not need it. But i agree with ya...hook it up to be sure...my 2 cents...

Feb 20, 2011 | 03:07 PM

Catfish57

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 268

Likes: 0

From: Western, Massachusetts

Thanks I guess i will attach it. well that sucks I will have to remove the freeking bolt all the way out again because the wire is attached by a washer, but it sounds important so I will replace.

Last edited by Catfish57; Feb 20, 2011 at 03:17 PM.