Topic: '72 CL350 - Replaced handlebars, rewired everything........@$#!

[dylboss]

So I decided to replace the bent handlebars on my CL350, and had the joy of rewiring everything inside the handlebars.  Never want to do that again...  Well, much to my surprise, and after soldering every wire back together, all works with the exception of the starter switch.  I just can't understand this one.  I looked at the wiring diagram and it shows a yellow and red wire that goes to the solenoid, and a ground, but the ground wire is nowhere to be found, or any place for it to attach to the actually switch itself.  Does anyone know how this switch gets grounded?  Seems like a very simple design, but just can't make sense of why it isn't working now when it was before.

I should add that I'm trying this switch with the housing off of the handlebars.  I just had a revelation that the ground might happen by being mounted on the bars.  Is that right?

Thanks.

[chickenman_26]

Correct. The black wire at the solenoid is hot with the key on. The yellow/red wire is grounded to the bars when you push the start button to complete the circuit.

Stu

[tbpmusic]

Correct. The black wire at the solenoid is hot with the key on. The yellow/red wire is grounded to the bars when you push the start button to complete the circuit.

Stu

Maybe, Stu - if he has a "lights always on" type, the solenoid connections are switched.
A CL K4 just might be that type, as it's after the change to a larger headlight too.
The handlebar button simultaneously shuts off the headlight and sends 12 volts to the solenoid, which is grounded on the other side.
The solenoid doesn't care which side is which, it's just a relay.
In that case, he'd just plug the other side of the solenoid to any convenient ground.

If it's the older type with a lights off position, then it would be a Stu outlined.

[chickenman_26]

Maybe, Stu - if he has a "lights always on" type, the solenoid connections are switched.

Bill,
You should know me better than that by now. Even though I own the same bike, I checked the wiring diagram specific to it before posting my answer. FYI, the always-on headlamps first appeared on Honda's '75 models.

Stu

[tbpmusic]

You're probably right, Stu - I wasn't sure what year they started that stuff - CRS Syndrome, you know??
It's a #$%* gettin' old.........

[grcamna2]

Make sure to check the one single black ground strap wire that connects the handle-
bars to the rest of the frame grounds;its a small double ended black ground strap
which attaches underneath the hold down nut for the right side handlebar dogbone.
The handlebars are rubber mounted & this is what will ground your handlebar
switches.The other end of the wire mounts to the bottom of your speedometer
hold down single bezel bolt which completes the solid ground;give it a good scrape
underneath to remove the paint so you know you have a metal to metal connection.

[chickenman_26]

Make sure to check the one single black ground strap wire that connects the handle-
bars to the rest of the frame grounds;its a small double ended black ground strap
which attaches underneath the hold down nut for the right side handlebar dogbone.
The handlebars are rubber mounted & this is what will ground your handlebar
switches.The other end of the wire mounts to the bottom of your speedometer
hold down single bezel bolt which completes the solid ground;give it a good scrape
underneath to remove the paint so you know you have a metal to metal connection.