Sorting out the wiring on the bike isn’t really a single task. I had to sort out distinct elements as I fitted subsystems and components. But first I had to decide on a strategy. I decided to base my wiring around a Motogadget M.Unit. This is a digital, programmable control box that acts as the central hub for the motorcycle’s entire electrical system. It replaces traditional fuse boxes, flashers, and relays, simplifying wiring by connecting all components (lights, switches, ignition) into one unit. It’s often used in custom builds.
It includes the following functions:
- It provides power to all connected components and controls the current. Effectively it removes the need for fuses (apart from the main fuse).
- It controls all power, so that you can either use the ignition switch or control the bike’s power using the starter motor switch
- It acts as flasher for the indicators (with greater functionality)
- It interfaces with a phone app, to give information about all electric functionality
- It acts as a security alarm.
- It allows the use of low-power switches, with minimal power draw from them.
- It has outputs for all of the indicator lights for the systems it controls (headlight, main beam, indicators).
All in all, the M-unit is a marvellous piece of kit. It’s also the single reason that I’ve not needed to re-use any of the bike’s original wiring. The installation isn’t trivial, but it does allow for neat and compact wiring. It was just about the last piece of work that I did.
So, the installation went as follows. Firstly, I made an aluminium tray to mount it on, and I fitted this between the top rails on the frame. To this is attached the M.unit and all of the wiring connects to this. The tray was also the mounting point for the other electronic units that I used; the regulator/rectifier and the Silent Hektic control unit plus ignition coils. I had to provide power (the bike is negative earth and so this was from the battery positive terminal (with a fuse) and the chassis/earth. I had to connect each unit appropriately; the switches. I used Motone handlebar switches – a triple unit for the left (indicators and headlamp control) and a double one for the right (horn and starter). Wiring the switches was fairly straightforward, though the (small diameter) cabling had to be threaded through the two handlebar sides. The Ignition switch is functional, though the M.unit has functionality that parallels it (controlled via the starter motor button). All of the indicator lights in the speedo/rev counter binnacle needed to be included… you’ll be starting to get an appreciation of the magnitude of the wiring task. Eventually, all of the systems do work though.
This picture shows the electronics tray, the M.unit on the right, and the single fuse (at the top). What you can’t see is the regulator/ rectifier and the electronic ignition, which are fitted underneath the tray. The 4 nuts on th eleft hold the ignition coils.