Simple ironhead/chopper wiring explained

My wiring on my ironhead

[@rogergoodling1]

I'm an idiot. This is my first Harley, but the wiring is joke.And my thoughts itch, just a headlight.Tell light and some turns signals.Wait chickens, but your explanation to it is awesome.It really made it clear for I have a working thought in my head about it so thank you so much

[@mattbriley5864]

Glad to help

[@gunslinger6307]

Thanks Matt for your video it was very helpful as Im in the process of rewiring my 73 XLH

[@chabib23]

I used this basic template for my 81 Iron head build. Thank you!

[@mattbriley5864]

No problem glad to help

[@wedowhatwewant6850]

Man thanks. I’m having hell of a time waiting my 2015 to bypass the canbus crap. Seems like I have to build the whole wiring from scratch

[@tubedude54]

I'm currently in the process of installing an electric starter on my 76 XLCH. The kit from V-Twin leaves much to be desired when it comes to instructions on what wire goes where. Your video looks like it may help me out a lot. I'm not a stranger to wiring schematics but someone at V-Twin could have put some instructions together... better yet a VIDEO!

[@albertgarcia6279]

Thank you for the very good video

[@wildmansuwarsky4688]

Love the old school way of wiring, thanks helped a lot on 80 iron head

[@mattbriley5864]

No problem glad to help

[@mattbriley5864]

I used 8 ga. wire for battery to solenoids to starter motor and 16 ga. for all others

[@gunslinger6307]

Thanks for confirming what size wire you used what gauge did you use for lighting , horn, etc ? 1 ga ???

[@mattbriley5864]

@@gunslinger6307 I used 18 ga.

[@gunslinger6307]

@@mattbriley5864 Thank you for your prompt reply, I was planning on using the same gauge wire and now thanks to your confirmation I feel confident on my wiring job, Thanks again Matt, I really appreciate you video, post and fast reply to my question , for your guidance I am using Marine Wire built from Type III class K tinned copper, this wire offers excellent flexibility. The tinned copper also resists corrosion adding to the life of the wire. and the outer jacket is resistant to alkali, abrasion, acid, gas, oil, flame, and moisture.

[@4thj.h374]

Ok seems like a good layout. I’m working on a 77 ironhead and have hooked everything up like this but I’m not getting spark.

[@darbyobrien8232]

Ever get that figured out?

[@jenndavis2402]

My name is Chuck. I've been restoring a 1980 ironhead. Your diagram is just like mine. However I have a couple of questions. So... where does the red wire go from the other side of the coil go? And where do I connect the hot wire coming from the starter relay? And is it okay if I gap another breaker to the ignition breaker? Please help.

[@mattbriley5864]

From the coil one wire goes to the regulator and other goes to the points

[@jenndavis2402]

Okay so where does the hot wire from the starter relay go to?

[@mattbriley5864]

@@jenndavis2402 from the starter relay it goes to the on/off switch

[@GatorsFan2138]

On my 85 Sportster I went positive terminal on battery, to starter, then to a 30 amp circuit breaker, to an ignition on/off toggle switch, to my coils, and my points went to my coils as well. Rectifier went straight to my positive terminal. I have that push button on my starter, the solenoid push thingy, the starter tries to start then just dies. As if it’s not getting a lot of power to turn

[@mattbriley5864]

Check the ground cable

[@mattbriley5864]

Or the cables on the starter relay are reversed

[@roccomalachi7329]

thanks very much it helped me very easy to do.

[@ashlieeddy4075]

thanks bro, nice and reliable.

[@jerrybigrig9475]

😎👍😎

[@matthewseverin2456]

Very helpful!

[@johnattenborough3962]

What kind of relay did you use?

[@marlolopez5047]

Nice..I got a lot out if your video

[@jenndavis2402]

Okay so I connected the points wire and kill switch wiring to the front side of the coil... so where do i connect the one wire coming from the (other) back side of the coil???

[@danpoole3628]

Does the Solenoid act as the starter relay too on 1980 Ironhead

[@georgeshotwell3708]

I have a 79 XLH 1000.. Engine spins, no spark.. electronic ignition is new...bike ran, then a fuse, or, circuit popped bc it wouldn't fire up after the fuses arc'd...do u have a diagram to wire them in right?

[@joseywaleshhh]

So the starter relay and the starter solenoid are two completely separate things? My bikes wiring was completely stripped and my father and I are having a disagreement on this.

[@mattbriley5864]

Confused Aquarist relay is usually under battery box and the solenoid is behind the rear exhaust

[@mikesheldon3105]

I've got a question,I've got 2small wires that come off of the big wire that comes from the points and the alternater/regulater

[@mikesheldon3105]

Don't know where they go

[@mattbriley5864]

@@mikesheldon3105 I'm not sure what big wire you are talking about

[@mikesheldon3105]

I've got a question for you,the relay that you are talking about the points or do I need to add a relay?Thanks for the video.👍

[@mattbriley5864]

The relay goes to the starter , coil goes down to the points

[@mikesheldon3105]

I got ya on that so I guess I need a starter relay right

[@mikesheldon3105]

I don't see any kind of relay from anywhere ,lol who ever did the barebones on this 1980XLH is not like yours at all I'll shoot you a picture but some how it run I just don't like the cobbled up wires,what a mess.thats why I'm using your method.thank again.✌

[@mikesheldon3105]

I didn't under the battery box.DUH

[@DrErickLopez]

Great Vid! but Im wondering where is the starter button and how would this be wired to a 4 post 30A relay? thanks!

[@mattbriley5864]

I eliminated the starter button cause they are known to short out.

[@DrErickLopez]

@@mattbriley5864 Thanks! I made a diagram with what you mentioned here. If you have time, can you check it out? thanks again! imgur.com/0MlTDjH

[@mattbriley5864]

@@DrErickLopez I believe you have the right idea .It should work.

[@tubedude54]

@@DrErickLopez That simplifies the wiring schematic and makes it very clear for me... THANKS!

[@koolaidacidkilla179]

Thanks bud!

[@mattbriley5864]

No problem glad to help

[@joeygriffith6133]

Hey bud can I wire my ego the same way

[@mattbriley5864]

Yeah it should be the same

[@29mudmike]

I have a 74 sporster I am not getting power to the coil or points system is there a easy way to wire maybe simplify it ?

[@mattbriley5864]

michael lolies the coil is off main to the points that is it as far as I know

[@jfields1134]

Does your diagram use all 3 posts on starter relay?. When you say small post. Do you mean short copper color post? (Opposite of longer post) I am trying to wire a 77 ironhead bobber. So stripped to bare minimum. I've had it 2 yrs and just needs wired. Please help lol thanks. Great video.

[@mattbriley5864]

Yes i used all three posts the short poat activates the solenoid

[@jfields1134]

Ok I get it thanks alot. I do have one more question my regulator is the kind that mounts on the end of the generator.(c.c. rider) so there isn't a bat.+ connection just a wire for power. So I would just wire to here basically the same like you explained. I'm assuming your using original OEM regulator. Just dont want to mess up my regulator. Thanks again.

[@jfields1134]

Or if I use a 30 amp circuit breaker instead of fuse I can wire to say bottom post and wire off other(top) post to regulator and separate wire on same(top)to ignition.?

[@mattbriley5864]

The bat+ wire is the same as bat post on reg.

[@mattbriley5864]

On circuit breakers you can wire multiples on a single post

[@julianmartinez2425]

What kind of relay did you use? Where can I get one?

[@mattbriley5864]

I used circuit breakers, you can get them at o'Reilly's

[@matthewburns6843]

@@mattbriley5864 👌 thanks good info!!

[@georgewilliams2539]

Will this start my bike, or just charge my batt n run my lights?

[@mattbriley5864]

It will crank it using the run/stop switch and turn it off you will use the key

[@georgewilliams2539]

@@mattbriley5864 but will my bike start n run?

[@georgewilliams2539]

Find* my Facebook

[@georgewilliams2539]

.

[@mattbriley5864]

@@georgewilliams2539 yes it should start and run

[@jonathancastillo3704]

is there anyone i can call to ask a question... not to be weird,, for real.. please

[@mattbriley5864]

Ask me anything

[@victoriacreamer7758]

i got a 1968 ironhead wont start with the starter everthings new help lol

[@mattbriley5864]

Victoria Creamer what is it doing

[@matthewburns6843]

Lol