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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB750 => Topic started by: Stewartgh on May 11, 2010, 08:20:40 PM

Title: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Stewartgh on May 11, 2010, 08:20:40 PM
Hi would appreciate anyones help here, I am going mad, I have 2 problems, first is that my tail light does not work, brake light is fine, and tail light works when ignition switch is set to park so I assume buld is OK as park is using the less bright filament as would the tail light, but not in run with 'P' or 'H' position selector switch on, the other problem is the sidelight in the headlamp is not working, same situation, when ignition switch is set to park it works, but not in side light mode!!!
I have found plenty of wiring diagrams but none show the sidelight in the headlamp unit or the separation of the tail and brake light. Any help would be appreciated.
In my headlight I have 1 large buld in the centre, which has 2 filaments, both are working for high and low beam, then there is another small bulb  below the larger one which has 1 wire going to the centre and then a ground, this is what I am refering to as the side light, and this is the one which comes on when the ignition key is in the park position, on the handle bar switch I have 2 positions one is labeled 'P' and the switch lever goes up slightly in this position into an inset part of the groove, and the other position is 'H', which assume to mean 'Headlight'. I took the bike for an MOT recently and the guy at the garage told me that the 'P' switch position should turn on the side lights, (the smaller bulb below the main one in the headlight). this is not working, and in fact to rear light does not come on in that position either, but it is also not working in the main position so that could be a red herring. ???
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Spitfire on May 12, 2010, 08:26:27 AM
Had the same problem with my back light, it is a question of following the wires back, no magic bullet, I think in the end I switched the "live" in the headlamp to the old indicator beeper feed. In the end it was a bad connection in the fuse box causing the problem.
The P switch is indeed for the Parking (side) lights.
I'll PM you the wiring diagram from my handbook (1976 CB750F1).

Cheers

Den
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1...
Post by: Yoshi823 on May 12, 2010, 02:06:18 PM
Faulty right hand switchgear suspected.

The brown wire that feeds the tail light bulb, the pilot light in the headlamp & the lights in the speedo/tacho are all supplied from the right hand switchgear when the ignition key is in the 'ON' position. The reason that the keyed switch illuminates the tail bulb & the pilot bulb when in 'P' or 'PARK' is because it connects the red to the brown for those circuits, bypassing the right hand switchgear. I would check the brown wire coming out of the switchgear for +12v when selected with the ignition in the 'ON' position. The +12v goes in on the black wire which is the regulated +12v, as against the unregulated +12v which is from the battery via the red wire.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Stewartgh on May 12, 2010, 02:08:47 PM
Thanks guys, I am off to take a look now with your comments in mind, and thanks a bunch for the schematic Dan, thats the best one i have seen..... will update later.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Stewartgh on May 12, 2010, 04:01:38 PM
OK More descoveries, brown and black in the RH Switch both have 12v all the time, until I switch ingnitiotn to park position at which point the brown loses the 12v, I have dismantled the switch cleaned and reassembled, and when I check the switch operation out with the DVM with no power switched on at ignition all checks out perfectly so I am pretty confidant the switch is good... also I noticed that when the RH Switch is in P position if I turn the indicators on the P lamp in the headlight flashes in time with the indidcators!!! ???
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Yoshi823 on May 12, 2010, 04:55:36 PM
In which case it sounds like the earth from the plate inside of the switchgear to the handlebars is not too good. Check the continuity from the metal of the switchgear to the -ve side of the battery. I think that the left hand switchgear also earths the metal of the case to earth via the handlebars.

Easy enough to check as long as you have a multimeter or a continuity checker.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Stewartgh on May 13, 2010, 03:25:19 PM
OK, Insanity is looming now.....!!! Right I have now disconnected everything in the headlamp, except the brown feed to the 'P'/sidelight and the green ground for the same, still no light when switched to the 'P' position on the RH switchgear, but when I swith the indicators on either side it lights up! Despite the fact that now all the indicators front and rear are completely disconnected. I have dismantled, cleaned and checked out with the meter both handlebar swicthes and the ignition switch, cleaned every connector I can lay my hands on with switch cleaner but still no joy!!! Any further help would be very much appreciated.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Stewartgh on May 13, 2010, 05:23:26 PM
WoooHoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you guessed it, I fixed it, well it seems I actually caused it in the first place, since I stiped everything down over a year back when I restored it, and surprisingly it passed an MOT then with no mention of the problem,  but for sure it had been there all along, I just hadn't noticed it, till this years MOT...... long story short in the connector box under the stearing head there are a bunch of connections, I had the feed to the RH Switch mixed with the turn signal buzzer, they are both the same colour code (Br/B) but one has a little yellow tag which had slipped up into the loom exit point out of sight!!! So about 15 hours greif as a result of my own cock up..... Thanks for your help Den & Yoshi got me going in the right direction, off to get the MOT finsihed off then I'm on the road..... :) ;) :D ;D 8)
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Spitfire on May 13, 2010, 06:51:56 PM
Great that you got it sorted,that connection box is a pain and the buzzer wire can be confusing.

Cheers

Den
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on May 13, 2010, 08:24:44 PM
Another satisfied customer   :)
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: theriddler on June 18, 2010, 09:39:22 AM
Hi, I also almost got caught out with this...! But managed to keep track of little yellow band on wire! I was interested to note that "Spitfire" PMed a copy of the wirirng diag from a 750F1 (i.e. UK/ euro version) owner's manual - any chance that I could get a copy please? Most of the versions I've been found have either been for a euro F2 or an American CB750F...(F1 equiv. but there are some differences...). I've almost got mine on the road - MOT failed on sticking rear brake - will strip caliper & fit seal kit, hopefully that'll sort it! Once going I intend to sort out a few wiring weaknesses...the odd bullet connector or 2 & also maybe a DYNA S ignition...?
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Spitfire on June 18, 2010, 06:13:45 PM
No worries I'll PM you a copy.

Cheers

Den
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Sprunghub on June 18, 2010, 10:11:43 PM
& also maybe a DYNA S ignition...?

Not sure how far you intend to go with the Dyna S...but if you have a mind to go for the whole package....& depending on how the Exchange rate sit's at the point when you do it, it may be cheaper to buy from the States....or if you are the cheeky sort, use that to get a discount on a set-up from the Uk.
There is a chap who sells via Ebay (US Ebay) who even inc' of p & p may be cheaper than the Uk supplier if you are buying the coils & plugs set too.

Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on June 19, 2010, 08:27:26 AM
For Dyna S from the 'States, go to www.sohc4.net (http://www.sohc4.net) and ask Jeff.Saunders (that's his user name). He runs www.z1enterprizes.com (http://www.z1enterprizes.com) and has had the best deals for ages.

And he's an SOHC4-lover (disregard the name of his business for a minute - that's historical!)
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: theriddler on June 19, 2010, 04:09:47 PM
Thanks heaps for the wiring diag! I was beginning to think there wasn't one specifically for the F1! also the info on the Dyna S is really good - I'm looking forward to give it a go! Is it possible just to change the ignition - do you have to change coils & plugs?
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on June 19, 2010, 08:26:42 PM
It will work fine with the standard coils and plugs.

Some like to fit the Dyna coils as well - probably not necessary unless you plan to go racing!
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: theriddler on June 20, 2010, 08:50:05 PM
Somehow I don't quite think so, after the effort I've spent... as well as some bits being unobtainable -  ;D
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: notobikeparkingtax on July 01, 2010, 01:20:38 PM
I thought I'd throw my 2d in here. I had a Honda '89 CB900F a while back, lovely bike, ran beautifully except for an annoying 'stumble' at 3000 rpm. After reading up a bit on it I bought a pair of green 3ohm coils from Z1enterprises. They worked out considerably cheaper than buying the same coils from a UK seller, arrived really quickly and were well packed.
Fitted them, fired it up. Those big, fat juicy sparks were doing such a good job that it was idling 1000 rpm higher than with the old coils. Took it for a spin and it was like a new bike. Much smoother, better pick-up and more powerful all through the rev range. And the stumble had gone completely. Major result.

Those old coils were from 1989 and had clearly either deteriorated or were just plain inferior to the Dynas, I'd thoroughly recommend them and am only waiting for a better exchange rate before getting a pair of the black 5 ohm coils for my K7.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on July 01, 2010, 01:45:25 PM
True.

But your '89 CB900 had a much bigger alternater than the 70's CB750s.

There is a lot of discussion on the US site about using low impedence Dyna coils on a CB750. Some like it and some don't.

I believe that the standard coils are 6ohm (?). The 3 ohm Dynas will draw twice the current from your electrical system - I'm not sure but I think that Dyna do a range of impedences.
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: theriddler on July 05, 2010, 01:52:05 PM
Hmmm - interesting. It would seem from the above that possibly I could get Dyna equivalent coils to the standard Honda units??? The standard units being approx... 5ohm??? So then if I wanted to keep things fairly standard, I could just swap the existing coils (rather ancient) with nice new Dyna 5ohm units? At hopefully a less price!
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on July 05, 2010, 02:21:26 PM
See Reply #13

Z1 will advise as well as sell you stuff.



Check out the exchange rate as well. heading north of $1.50 so prices going down!
Title: Re: Wiring problems with my 1977 CB750F1
Post by: Yoshi823 on July 05, 2010, 06:22:54 PM
I fitted Andrews coils, Boyer Bransden ignition, silicone leads & NGK D8EV plugs to my CB750F2...went much better than standard.
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