Help me understand the electrical system, PLEASE!

[Texas_Rigid]

First of all, I have read all the posts related to this topic. I took several aspirin to releive the migraine, and then I read them all again. I keep wikepedia open in another window to help clarify the parts whose purpose I don't know, and I can see a whole shit load of trees, but where the hell is the forset:bang:

For those of us (is there an "us" or just a "me"?) who ride the short bus to work, can someone please help clarify what in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here.

Let me tell you what I think I know, and then you may all laugh hysterically and correct me accordingly. My bike has an EHC. It is the master of my bike's universe. When I turn the key, the EHC is powered up. When I push the RUN button, the EHC adjusts the compression to where is needs to be for ignition. When I push the START button, the EHC supplies voltage to the ignition coil, sparks the plugs, and magically we have a running motor. When I push the left turn signal button, the EHC tells my left turn signals to flash. When I push the high beam button, my EHC tells my headlight to be brighter. Etc., etc.

I want to swap my handlebars because I have 38" long arms and the pullback is too much. To do this I need new hand controls because of the BDM handlebar size. To do this I need to ditch the EHC.

I know in order to rewire my bike I need:
New ignition module (compatible with crank sensor type ignitions?)
Turn signal module
Handlebar and hand controls of my choosing

I've learned from other posts I will need:
new coil?
Universal wiring harness? (Is this simply to make life easier? Like a ready made terminal block?)

Thats what I know. My questions are this:
1) Is any of this accurate?
2) When I ditch the EHC, what happens to my crank position sensor? Can it work off a hardwired, voltage only setup or do I get a new one?
3) What happens to the speedo?
4) What should I consider relating to the starter?
5) One post mentioned a new charging system. Does my alternator have a PC board the same as my hand control buttons that only works with the EHC?
6) Is there a reference I could obtain for helping me understand this shit?
7) What am I missing?

Please help me. I can install a 200 amp meter, service cable, and 30 breakers of electrical shit in my house but i can't seem to make the idea of wiring my bike click in my head.

 

[TheDeadOne]

Since you're riding the short bus

Do you have a bike?

What make & model?

Maybe a Ridgeback?

 

[jimizee028]

I MUST SAY AT LEAST YOU HAVE NO ISSUE WITH YOUR AVITAR...I LIKE

 

[TheDeadOne]

I MUST SAY AT LEAST YOU HAVE NO ISSUE WITH YOUR AVITAR...I LIKE

QUIT THINKING IT'S BABY RAY!, IT'S NOT!!!!

 

[TheDeadOne]

Ok, Rigid, since you're not responding here. and not a good speller either (Ridged) :lol::lol::lol:

If you've got an Ridgeback, why not use the K-9 bars?

I think it's a direct swap!

Pull back is not as much, controls still work, no need to chance a thing.

Lets see if this gets your attention! :lol:

 

[TheDeadOne]

HELP ME UNDERSTAND PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

Why come and post questions and.....

NOT REPLY TO OTHERS QUESTIONS or....:loony:

EVEN HAVE THE COMMON CURTISY TO REPLY TO ANSWERS,:loony: then....

JUST LEAVE THE SITE WITH YOUR THREAD BEING LOOKED AT OR EVEN RESPONDED TOO? :loony:

JUST TELL US WHY.

DO ANY OF US HAVE BAD BREATH OR SOMETHING?

:zzdisappointed:

 

[Texas_Rigid]

sorry guys. Phones were ringing at the office. My bike is an ,05 Ridgeback. I was reading all the posts about eliminating the EHC and it got me to thinking....I guess my biggest problem is I'm not a gear head, and I'm not getting how the gears and wires go together.

I thought about another model's bars, and even had a Chopper handlebar I was gonna swap out. But for some reason I feel the need to gut everything and start over.

 

[TheDeadOne]

Check out the how to section and the "EHC Eliminate The BITCH"!
PM (Jake) "BDMRidgeback" he can hook you up with everything including instructions.
K-9 handlebars direct swap I think, no need for new controls, use BDM existing.
Just seal the PCB boards inside the controls then seal everything but the bottom of the controls housing with clear silicone.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!

PS. "NICE AZZ"! :lol:

 

[bdmridgeback]

Texas Rigid, here you go, A how-to on swapping your bars like I did without buying anything but some bars. You may even find a Chopper owner on here that will trade you even up for your bars like I did:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2598-swapping-ridgeback-chopper-bars.html


And then, If you want to eliminate the EHC, buy the Wire-Plus module and ignition switch I sell. Easy fix! No need to buy anything but those two parts. Keep your stock ignition, charging system, wiring harness, lights speedo... I did this How-to as well:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/9727-how-wire-plus-2004-only-install-ehc-elimination.html

And the Sportster Style Ignition Switch install How-to:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/10654-how-ignition-switch-swap-sportster-style.html


...and then if you want to unleash some more power and decide to change out the ignition module here is my Thunder-Heart install How-to:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/7950-how-upgrading-thunder-heart-ignition-module.html


...If your Voltage Regulator takes a shit and you want to just change the entire charging system, here is my How-to on installing the Compu-Fire 40 amp 3 Phase system:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/7511-how-charging-system-upgrade-40-amp-3-phase.html


If you don't want to go these easy routes and want some other more expensive options, need a battery, or some other info I have compiled, go here:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/customizing-add-ons/6170-ehc-elimination-ditch-bitch.html


As for electrical issues, that should cure all your problems!!!!

 

[Texas_Rigid]

Thanks, DeadOne. Jake put a good list together on one of his posts for stuff I would need. I'm gonna do some more digging and see if I can't figure out the "flow" of how it all works.

Then I'll gut it!

 

[Texas_Rigid]

Jake,

If my thinking is correct, you worked with Wire-Plus to get that harness built to handle all the milivolt contols our switches take care of. I'm really interested in getting rid of the hand controls also. Does the module and switch you carry HAVE to work with the hand controls, or can I put different switches on?

 

[TheDeadOne]

Thanks, DeadOne. Jake put a good list together on one of his posts for stuff I would need. I'm gonna do some more digging and see if I can't figure out the "flow" of how it all works.

Then I'll gut it!

:2thumbs: You're welcome, but Jake took care of you, I'm just the "Yuppy Messenger"! :lol:

If you need any help or have anymore questions, please feel free to just start an "Help Thread" or PM one of us.

Good Luck! :2thumbs:

 

[Baldielox]

bdmridgeback, do you carry the Thuderheart stuff?

- B

 

[bdmridgeback]

Jake,

If my thinking is correct, you worked with Wire-Plus to get that harness built to handle all the milivolt contols our switches take care of. I'm really interested in getting rid of the hand controls also. Does the module and switch you carry HAVE to work with the hand controls, or can I put different switches on?

This Wire-Plus Module is made ONLY for the BDM hand controls on 2004-current bikes. It won't work with HD style controls or other aftermarket controls.

If you want to spend the money for other controls then you need to gut the bike and wire it for standard HD controls, but it will take alot more work.

New bars, controls, speedo/tach, backbone harness, turn signal controller.

bdmridgeback, do you carry the Thuderheart stuff?

- B

No I don't. Need to get it from a Custom Chrome or Drag Specialties dealer. They are in every neighborhood, Just like CVS and Walgreens!

 

[Texas_Rigid]

This Wire-Plus Module is made ONLY for the BDM hand controls on 2004-current bikes. It won't work with HD style controls or other aftermarket controls.

If you want to spend the money for other controls then you need to gut the bike and wire it for standard HD controls, but it will take alot more work.

New bars, controls, speedo/tach, backbone harness, turn signal controller.

Now we're cooking! My question is mostly over the ignition/timing and charging system. The Thunderheart module you carry works with our crank position sensor type ignitions by itself, or only with the Wire-Plus module? And I may have to investigate the charging system since a direct wire setup could pull more amps than the EHC (or even your Wire-Plus) setup?

This is definately helping. Many thanks.

 

[bdmridgeback]

Now we're cooking! My question is mostly over the ignition/timing and charging system. The Thunderheart module you carry works with our crank position sensor type ignitions by itself, or only with the Wire-Plus module? And I may have to investigate the charging system since a direct wire setup could pull more amps than the EHC (or even your Wire-Plus) setup?

This is definately helping. Many thanks.

I don't carry the Thunder-Heart module. It only needs changed if you go with a bigger cam or bump the compression up. Other that that, the stock will do fine with the Wire-Plus module. Both the ASM5012 Thunder-Heart and the stock Thunder-Heart run off the crank position sensor. The factory charging system is "rated" at 40 amps and is way more than enough to keep in the bike with the Wire-Plus system. Elimination the EHC out of the bike with do nothing but drop the draw on the charging system. The direct wire setup like the Wire-Plus, draws less.

Since I took my EHC out of the bike and installed the Wire-Plus, I have never had a battery tender on the bike while it sets. And it has set for up to 6 weeks at a time without being touched and it cranks right over. The EHC system couldn't sit for more than a week to 10 days without going dead.

 

[avdhunter]

I'm just the "Yuppy Messenger"! :QUOTE]

Yes you are!!!!!! :roll::roll::roll:But wouldn't want it any other way!!!! Then I might be the ONLY damn one!!!:bang::bang::bang:

 

[Baldielox]

The mechanic at my dealer swears that the Thunderheart ignition will wake up my bike. I have only done the intake and exhaust. It's an easy upgrade, so I'm gonna see if he's right.

- B

 

[bdmridgeback]

He's right!

 

[lee]

Jake - what about the unit I got (WP-182 I think from memory)? I no longer have the BDM switches but do still use everything else. Also, if you want to change your hand controls with the module I have you should be able to just cut the bars and weld an insert to take "normal" sized hand controls. The tech who wired up my bike with this unit said it is most definitely not BDM specific but I am still using the BDM speedo etc although we did have to change the hand control switches.