Topic: My Idea to Relocate Wiring Into a Saddle bag.

[Magilla]

I'm still stuck wondering why.  Do you want to open up the mid section of the bike like a Cafe Racer style?  Is that what is causing you to want to hide your electronics in an ammo box?  I'm not saying don't do it or that it would be stupid to do it, I'm just trying to understand the motivating force behind this.

This entire project goes against conventional thinking.  Not that, that is a bad thing but its hard to wrap your head around.  Opening up the mid section tends to be a Cafe thing.  You want it to look as bare bones as possible.  Adding side bags goes against this line of thought.  Adding side bags usually is about adding additional storage to your bike.  Filling them with electronics goes against this line of thought.

So in the end it will be a Cafe style bike with side bags that cant be used because they are already full.  Sounds screwed up but who knows, maybe it will be cool.  Be sure to post some pics when your done.

[NewOldSchool]

I'm still stuck wondering why.  Do you want to open up the mid section of the bike like a Cafe Racer style?  Is that what is causing you to want to hide your electronics in an ammo box?  I'm not saying don't do it or that it would be stupid to do it, I'm just trying to understand the motivating force behind this.

This entire project goes against conventional thinking.  Not that, that is a bad thing but its hard to wrap your head around.  Opening up the mid section tends to be a Cafe thing.  You want it to look as bare bones as possible.  Adding side bags goes against this line of thought.  Adding side bags usually is about adding additional storage to your bike.  Filling them with electronics goes against this line of thought.

So in the end it will be a Cafe style bike with side bags that cant be used because they are already full.  Sounds screwed up but who knows, maybe it will be cool.  Be sure to post some pics when your done.

This is what I was getting at as well. Just curious and can't understand the train of thought.

The electronics are also put in a protected spot on the motorcycle. A simple low side which could be easily ridden away from could potentially rip everything off of the bike.

[nitsua93]

I don't even know why you care about my motivation I do like the open style, even if it's not a café. I'm also going to have just one saddle bag. I think it'll look good. If not I can restore it to the way it was.

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[mono]

i dunno if the 10-ish lbs will make a big difference, but having everything in a single side bag will throw off the balance of the bike.   just had to say it, as it's a safety thing (potentially).

[WarwickE36]

I must say I am curious as to the desire as well.  I get some flack on here from time to time for my outlandish ideas but usually I have good reason for doing something out of the ordinary.  Without providing the members here with a reason for doing something you are unlikely to get a lot of help.  If rewiring is something you aren't very comfortable with you may find out this projects end result was not worth the headache.  I think THAT is the point everyone is trying to make.  If there isn't a benefit i.e. aesthetic, function, efficiency... why bother to put in the time, money, and considerable headache to do it. 

I am all for doing things in an unconventional way.  I usually just have a reason (and no problem sharing it.) 

That being said, I can see an open style bike with bags being cool.  I don't think open style and cafe are synonymous ... brat style and chopped come to mind immediately.  If you are going for an old school semi chopped look (even if you are extending rake and fork length)  I think a bag under the headlight might look neat... you could probably find a way to relocate electronics into that compartment... that being said relocating the battery means extending cables which means you need to go down in gauge to keep heat down and allow proper current flow.  A single side bag could work too and I would urge you to consider a decent aluminum heat sink instead of a block of wood to separate your electronics from your storage.  Maybe over that put a false bottom that allows for an air gap between it and your heat sink. 

I would be wary of installing a fan facing down.  Even people who try not to ride in the rain get caught from time to time.  Water + electronics = problems.  Even with good weatherproof connections water has a way of getting into things and causing issues.  I wouldn't say don't use a fan but I would probably try to keep it away from the ground and rooster tail from any rain that decides to find its way into your setup.  If I was going to use a soft bag I think I would either reuse an ammo box or make my own box to put in it to keep things staying put instead of slapping around which could cause chaffed wires.

If you wan't any other advice or info let me know

[Toxic]

I know you said one saddle bag but what if you use two and put the oil bag in the other
That would look cool
Kind of a low slung bagger look
Just a thought but its your bike do your own that's what being a biker is partly about

What you must do is post pics of your progress

[nitsua93]

I haven't made any progress yet :p Does anyone have a picture of a cb750 with relocated wiring? I'd like to see one on the stock body, not brat or cafe.

[lucky]

I've been reading a few posts on wiring and tucking. I got the idea to put the battery,regulator,fuses, etc. Into a saddle bag. Obviously it would need air flow so I'd put 12v computer fans in the bag where I'd make vents. What's your idea on this? I don't see anything wrong with doing it this way, so please give me some input.

Sounds like an interesting idea.
Hope no one steals the saddle bag.

[DustyRags]

If they do, they'll get a hot surprise when they clip it off!

[lucky]

what about mounting the stuff on the saddlebag frame work, and then just put the bag over it all.

[Lavis500]

I can understand wanting to open up the center frame work for aesthetic reasons; I did the same thing to my Suzuki Savage.  That was just moving the battery, though.  Speaking of which, do you plan on moving the battery, too?

If you want to use ammo cans, they aren't really expensive. They are certainly cheaper than ANY saddlebag you can find - including everything on Jafrum.  The metal makes them much easier to manipulate and customize, IMHO.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/ZAA-095

Another idea:  Take the plate with everything mounted as is, and bolt it to the inboard side of the interior of the ammo can.  You could cut slits on that side, and if you're fancy maybe even punch the material out to make a wind deflector type opening.  You could get the same effect from cutting larger openings and bolting on a deflector.  Just make a nice little metal shelf to slide over your electrical plate and voila!  Out of sight, out of mind.  Drill a hole at the bottom of the box and route all of your wires through there.  Don't forget about your fuses!  They NEED to remain accessible.

You wanted an idea, so here you go.  I'm curious to see how you go about this.

[Magilla]

Somewhere out there is a future owner of this bike who is going to want to beat you silly.

Nice Dodge Dart in the Foster Grants

[Retro Rocket]

I think its not the best idea, if you drop the bike on the wiring side, major problems, it doesn't take much to rip off a saddle bag in a spill and normally you would just be down a bag, in this case you down a complete bike till you fix everything which may include replacing parts as well...  Its not very common for the wiring to be damaged on a "normal" bike after a collision. In my opinion its a lot of work for zero gain and could create more problems than its worth including sparks from damaged wiring igniting spilled fuel......

[FlyBoy]

i say go for it. be a daredevil. try something new. its your bike, so build it how you want to. no body ever got famous for doing exactly what everyone else is doing.

[Retro Rocket]

. its your bike, so build it how you want to. no body ever got famous for doing exactly what everyone else is doing.

The OP said 

so please give me some input.

And thats exactly what everyone is doing....

[Cabilao]

oil tank right side,wiring left side and luggage onthe tank. sound like a plan!

[matt mattison]

Cool idea for a show bike. But for a bike used regularly, I would have some concerns about those parts being exposed to damage etc.