Diagnose this electrical burden

I've been lurking this site for a couple of weeks ago and finally picked up an 82 750 maxim a little over a week ago with plans to lower it and fab up my own seat and fender. Ive begun that little project but ran into a halt with this electrical issue and btw im a complete noob when it comes to wiring of any kind. So it started after i tore the headlight and cluster apart and put everything back together which i thought i did correctly seeing how I put a good 100 miles on it after that. Then when I would go to turn the bike off i would turn the key and pull it out and nothing the bike was still running. now its to the point where i had to pull the positive cable off the battery so it doesnt drain it. I am unable to get the key in the ignition to turn it. I bought a new generic aftermarket ignition but have no idea how to wire it or if the ignition is even my problem. I also went to hook up the new taillight today and the brake light works but no running light same thing with the stock tail lamp. They both worked perfectly fine yesterday. So If anyone has any input i t would be greatly appreciated. Meanwhile heres some of my progress...

As it sat when I bought it 14k PO put about 1500 bucks in it 2 yrs ago and had all receipts


Getting The seat pan and seat mocked up


As it sat yesterday

 

I don't know if the wiring harness in the headlight bucket is anything like on a Maxim X, but pull the headlight out and look for a burnt or brown coloured FEMALE connector. It should be white, I had the same problem with my bike. The material is so thin that if it heats up too much it can melt the plastic between the MALE plugs and cause a short that will not allow you to turn off the bike.
If that turns out to be the problem then make notes, take pictures and cut one wire at a time and replace them with INSULATED bullet or spade connectors. That's how I did mine many years ago and have not had a problem since.

Have you got a manual for the bike ?

 

Does your bike still have the factory glass tube fuse box? If so, replace it with modern blade style fuse block. Chacal has them...along with most anything you can think of for these XJ's.

 

I believe so anyone have suggestions on the best way to relocate the ignition without messing with the cluster f**k of connectors in the headlight?

 

your gonna have to dig into the bucket no matter what. the harness for it runs though that bucket along with everthing else. i really mimialized my wiring and i still have alot running through it.

 

hot_shoe if you decide to replace your side covers, I want them! OH and welcome to the site.

 

Any ideas for a round headlight while I'm at it I might as well start to clean some of it up.

 

Also what are all of the wires for that go into the back of the ignition by color?

 

No short circuits think a blown fuse could be giving me this headache?

 

A loose or corroded fuse CLIP can drive you crazy !
Chacal has a blade fusebox - -


HCP378BC Replacement FUSEBOX, 6-circuit design, comes with a full set of standard style ATC push-in style fuses (4 x 10A, and 2 x 20A), for all XJ550, all XJ650, 1983 XJ750 Maxim and XJ750 Midnight Maxim, and XJ1100 models.
$ 13.00


re-locating the ignition SWITCH involves lengthening 3 wires.
TCI box re-locating may not need extra wire,
good soldered connections are advised, as opposed to crimped "bullets"

Search for "simplified XJ wire harness"