Topic: new to forum — simple wiring question

[77kz]

Hi all -

I finally picked up a 78 CB550 to tinker around on...happy to be a part of the community.   

The previous owner thought it looked cool to ride around without any turn signals. Personally, I find it to be terrifying (among other adjectives), so I'm beginning with adding some rear signals.

I ordered a pair that each only have one wire (where the housing acts as the ground). I've located where the wires should be run and have them functioning properly in a testing position where I have a viable ground contact, but the area of the frame to which I'll actually be mounting them doesn't work as an adequate ground.

My (probably silly) question is this: can I splice the single wire and run an additional wire from it to a proper metal grounding elsewhere on the frame?

Thanks for your time.   

[Maurice]

You can run something like this:



See the hoop connector, that is the ground. The existing wire of course you can splice/make longer.

[77kz]

Thanks Maurice!

I thought about doing something like that, but I wasn't sure if that would work...

If the metal hoop connector (ground wire) was between the housing and a washer, then grounded to another part of the bike, would that suffice? I wouldn't be able to fasten the nut to the other side of the screw opposite the metal hoop because of fitment issues.

[70CB750]

Of course you can.  Some bikes use a copper washer with soldered wire on it under the mounting stem nut.

[77kz]

Thanks 70CB750.

To be clear, is your advice is in response to my original question — that I can splice the one wire and add another that is grounded to another part of the frame?

…or are you saying that a ground wire with a metal hoop connector could be used between the housing and a washer?

Just want to be sure before I start cutting things.   

[LesterPiglet]

Splicing the wire that gives the signal power will not turn it into a ground wire. Use the hoop method as mentioned above.

[Bodi]

I, for one, am confused. I can't see how any part of the frame is  not grounded.
You need two connections minimum to power a light bulb: one is the wire and the other is the case on your units. Two wire types may have a dual filament bulb and still use the case, or have both single filament bulb connections wired out.
If the external wire bothers you you can remove the lens and have a look at the socket. Possibly it's easy to solder a ground wire to the barrel and thread it through the mounting stud. Running the ring terminal wire to a convenient ground point - any bolt going into the frame - is easiest.
Stock rear signal mounts are a metal bracket bolted or welded to the rear frame structure and handle the ground connection. The OEM metal rear mudguard is also a good ground.