Topic: Frankenwiring clutch switch

[greenjeans]

Frankenstein bike - 74 CB750.   Wiring harness from a 74.  Earlier handlebar switches (no safety switch wiring from the left handlebar switch).  PO eliminated the clutch safety switch snipped the wires at the connector and connected the green/red & light green/red wires together.   

Seems like that should work right?   Not getting anything.   Fuse box & fuse boxes are fine.  Time to get the multimeter out

[Don R]

 I like to print out the color wiring diagram and glue it to a piece of cardboard so I can see it while checking things.

[NobleHops]

By this I'm guessing you mean the starter solenoid won't actuate? That circuit provides the ground path to the coil side of the solenoid. First test the solenoid by shorting across the two terminals with a big screwdriver (do I have to say be careful? :-)).

Assuming that's fine, then yes, out with the wiring diagram and the multimeter and check continuity to ground on that circuit.

If that's not fine, fix the starter solenoid :-).

EDIT: I'm wrong there, that will test the starter, bypassing the solenoid. You can Hotwire your solenoid with test leads - connect the ground side of the solenoid coil to the frame ground and the positive side to the positive on the battery momentarily. If it clicks and spins the starter, solenoid is OK.

NOT THE BIG POSTS CARRYING THE CURRENT TO THE STARTER

[NobleHops]

One more thing. Do you have 12ish volts to the positive post on the solenoid (coil side again).

[greenjeans]

I have nothing.   Looking at the condition of the harness, I've come to the conclusion that the connectors/connections simply aren't good.   The wiring is almost hard, the insulators are actually ALL sun burnt.  All brass is a very dark brown.    I have a good battery - just not getting voltage anywhere.   

I went ahead and ordered a new harness & fuse box from parts-n-more.  Don't want to mess with it.