imabass
Bronze Member
As I was working on replacing the steering valve, I decided that it was time for new wiring. 51 years and there were numerous cracks in the insulation and patch jobs that have happened over time. It looked like a fire waiting to happen. There were also numerous wires that I have no idea what they were intended to go to but I suspect that the same wiring harness was used for the LPG and Gas tractors and there are items on the gas version that were not used on the LP.
I pulled every wire off the tractor and started over. New ignition and light switch along with modern fuse box and relay for the lights. I decided to KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) and staying 100% original is not important to me as much as having a simple and easy to use system to more easily make fixes in the filed and not wait on replacement parts. I eliminated the high low light switch function and figured if I needed lights than more is better than less so they are all wired either on or off. I also added a 12v power port in the dash to plug in a radio or phone.
After doing wiring on several motorcycles in the past I have learned to use quality wire and solder every connection and use heat shrink tubing as much as possible and eliminate the need for electrical tape that will come undone with time. I also went to the local hobby electronic shop and purchased high temp wire loom insulation. All wires were laid out on the tractor and cut to length. Then pulled back off and ran them through the insulation sleeves to make a professional wiring harness. I had 75% of the materials already and only had to purchase a few items so the wiring job only set me back about $50.
Got all the wires hooked up and my old tractor never started so easy. Now I need to sketch out my wiring harness with colors and I will laminate it and keep it in the tractor tool box and a copy in the manual.
I pulled every wire off the tractor and started over. New ignition and light switch along with modern fuse box and relay for the lights. I decided to KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) and staying 100% original is not important to me as much as having a simple and easy to use system to more easily make fixes in the filed and not wait on replacement parts. I eliminated the high low light switch function and figured if I needed lights than more is better than less so they are all wired either on or off. I also added a 12v power port in the dash to plug in a radio or phone.
After doing wiring on several motorcycles in the past I have learned to use quality wire and solder every connection and use heat shrink tubing as much as possible and eliminate the need for electrical tape that will come undone with time. I also went to the local hobby electronic shop and purchased high temp wire loom insulation. All wires were laid out on the tractor and cut to length. Then pulled back off and ran them through the insulation sleeves to make a professional wiring harness. I had 75% of the materials already and only had to purchase a few items so the wiring job only set me back about $50.
Got all the wires hooked up and my old tractor never started so easy. Now I need to sketch out my wiring harness with colors and I will laminate it and keep it in the tractor tool box and a copy in the manual.
