Forum

[StogieRob]

I know this sounds odd, but could someone explain the starter system and it's components from one end to the other? I've a 2008 Classic 500 5-speed. working on converting it to a more 40's/50's look. I needed to repaint the toolboxes, so i've disconnected all of the electrics that were in the left side toolbox. I've already removed the turn signal lights, and had been contemplating removing all of the electrics for the turn signals as well. Now that I've got all of that wire nest out, I was wondering what else I might remove at this time. One of the negative images of the modern bike is the obvious items under the seat.

Thanks!
Rob

[ric]

Remove the indicator stalks for 364 days of the year but keep all the electrics in place for them, your bike is young enough to fail its MOT if they’re not fitted and working on the 365th day. There are some very discreet designs available if you want something less obvious.

[stinkwheel]

The only way you'll get an MOT with no flashers on a 2008 bike is if it has a single seat and has been "Modified for off road use". SO if it's a single seat trials/scrambler with knobbly tyres, you'll get away with it, but I would still expect a degree of arguing the toss with the tester unless they are well up on MOTing trials bikes. You also need the rear brake light switch for the MOT which was also in the LHS toolbox.



I take my flashers off most of the time but I still have to put them back on again for the MOT. I have fitted it with jack plugs so it can be done quickly and easily.



Our hosts supply a cover for the under-seat electrics. http://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycle ... over-seats



On the bike I just built, I'm using a pod filter so I've hidden most of the electrics in the air filter "tea caddy". This was no mean feat. The reg rec still needs to be out in the airflow for cooling purposes, regardless of where you move it to.

[Exile]

Uhhmmm... been reading this and none of what I read reflects on the title of the original post. Quote: "Can someone explain the electric start system?".

So I'll have go...


How the electric start works.


You press a button. The bike starts.


So glad we sorted that out...

[papasmurf]

Press the button and it starts? You must be joking.

[StogieRob]

Hi all - OP here - i live in the US, so annual inspections are at the whim of what state I choose to live in. Right now, i'm far enough outside of Chicago and the surrounding counties that I don't have to deal directly with their idiocy. AND it is essentially for off-road only use. i'm making it work for WWII reenacting and I don't care about street legal. If I move to another state, i could be screwed.

so what are the pieces to the system? there are two silver vented boxes under the seat that stick out like sore thumbs when going for the retro look. i'm also thinking that the aren't heat sensitive, so painting them might be an option. I just want to simplfy the look of the bike.

Thanks!
StogieRob

[stinkwheel]

How the electric start works then. You turn on the key. This sends power to the right hand switch gear, the kill switch is ON which routes power to the starter button.



You push the starter button, this sends power to the starter solenoid which is a type of high power relay. On the other side of the solenoid are two "idiot switches" which allow the solenoid to connect to earth. One is the clutch switch which allows an earth connection when the clutch is pulled in. The other is the neutral switch which allows an earth connection when the bike is in neutral.



So the switchgear is powered up. You've pressed the starter button that sends power to the solenoid. The bike is either in neutral or the clutch is pulled in which allows the solenoid circuit to be connected to earth. The electronagnet in the solenoid powers up, you hear a "click" as the solenoid pulls a high current switch closed, this makes a direct contact between the battery positive and the starter motor. The starter motor turns. If you're lucky, this engages the sprag clutch with the crank and turns the engine over.



There is a whole heap of other electronic stuff happening on the ignition side at the same time as the engine is turning to make the spark a) Happen. b) Happen at the right time and c) Not happen immediately.

[Wheaters]

I'm quite glad my own Enfield "Bullet Electra" was designed only with a kick-start....

...and no distributor.

[Adrian]

You must have an earlier one, the later Indian home-market Electra 350s did finally receive electric start too.



A.

[Wheaters]

My 350 was made in 2004.