How do I ground the bike?

I have an '83 750 that I cannot find a ground on. The only two grounds I see is one going from the block to behind TCI board bolt, the other being from the block to the starter. When I run a wire (I am using a thin piece of wire) from the block to the negative terminal of the battery I get a spark and the bike lights up.

I don't have a problem running a jumper like that, but with the wire being so thin I am afraid that the wire is the cause for the starter not turning over. I only get clicks from the solenoid.

Is there supposed to be a larger gauge wire from the negative battery terminal to the block........How do I ground this bike?

 

Is there a wire from the negative to anywhere?

The one going from the block to behind the TCI should go to the negative of the battery?

The lead from the starter (rear side of starter 4 oclock position) should go to the solenoid positive.

There is risk of fire using thin gauge wire in a high amp circuit. There is risk of damage to the TCI shorting a live wire to ground. Take care.

Did you take things apart? Forgot to reconnect? Check and trace.

 

I took the entire engine apart, new gaskets, the works,

I thought that I had placed everything back like it was. The only wire coming from the negative terminal goes to the starter solenoid. All of the other wires are as I said.

I know that the Haynes manual tends to be wrong at times, but it specifically states that there is a ground behind the TCI board connecting bolt.

 

i think the missing one is the braided copper ground strap

 

The Positive wire goes to the starter solenoid. Then it goes from the solenoid to the starter motor. A smaller wire is attached to the starter solenoid and provides a live feed to the ignition.

The Negative wire goes to the (on my bike) motor at the back of the case and is connected to the motor via one of the case bolts (in the middle).

Photo attached. Red wire is positive.

Don't know about manual, no earth going behind TCI on mine.

Hope this helps.

 

If I read the wiring diagram on the XJCD correctly the negative battery terminal should go straight to ground. The positive should go to the solenoid and then the starter. The TCI should be grounded as you described it. Make sure you have the wires correct. I missed attached mine when I installed the new motor. I had forgotten that the wires cross in front of the battery to go to their respective terminals. Which is to say that the positive cable comes from the solenoid on the left of the battery to the positive terminal on the right side of the battery.

 

I had the ground cable tab that is secured under the case bolt on the back of the engine break and make intermittent contact. A 6mm allen wrench and a coat hanger got me home. If you suspect grounding issues, you should go through the ground cables and examine each for good contact. This includes checking the condition of the ground point. If there is any corrosion, clean it up with a wire brush or sandpaper. A daub of silicone grease is good for keeping the corrosion moster at bay. You should follow this treatment up with a regular inspection and susequent re-greasing. You can always make additional ground cables but this bypasses the original problem, leaving it the opportunity to rear its head again down the road, not a desirable condition. Get to the bottom of the ground issue first and upgrade as a last resort. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

In the picture Polock has posted the Braided copper one he circled is a earth strap from the motor to the frame of the bike. It should be attached to a clean part of the frame under the TCI unit. This ground strap is to ensure a good return to the negative side of the battery for your accessories (coils, lights, TCI etc.).

The motor is earthed to the frame through the engine mounts as well. If the engine mounts, bolts and spacers are clean where they contact each other a electric circuit provides the same function as the strap.

The one NOT circled in the photo is the end of the negative feed to the negative terminal of the battery. It is the one I was reffering to. This wire grounds the engine to the battery. It provides the Negative return to the battery for the starter motor circuit.

The wire that is attached to the side of the starter motor is the Positive feed for the starter motor. It goes to the starter solinoid.

Once again only use heavy wire of the correct rating for the negative and positive cables refered to. There is a real danger of damage (inc. Fire) using light guage wire on these high Amp applications.

 

Yep, it is a very good idea to make sure all connections on the bike are good. I've gone over Every connection and plug and the handlebar controls internals on the bike. Cleaned and checked. It was to the stage it needed to be done.

I have also struck corrosion in the Middle of a battery cable. Was on a mates car. It would not go and pissed him off so much he kicked the door (a few times) before he asked me to have a look.

The cables and connections all Looked good. Negative lead was broken completely through in the middle due to corrosion.

I was working on my car one day, finished up and reconnected the battery. Drove into town and stopped at a stop sign, the car died. Nothing, nada, no warning lights, even the stereo died.

I got out of the car and tightened up the terminal that I had just placed on the positive terminal and forgotten. Doh!