Alternator To Starter Switch......almost?

[Solina Dave]

This is probably a dumb question. But why does one leg of the stator, as indicated on the wiring diagram, run all the way to the starter switch, and then loop back around to the rectifier, instead of just running straight to the rectifier? It doesn't appear to connect to anything at the starter switch.

Just wonderin'................Dave

[dingdong]

Not sure that it does Dave.

[Solina Dave]

Tom, Here's 2 different drawings for the '78 GL. that I've been looking at. Parts of them are difficult to see, especially the text. But in both I see one leg from the stator to the starter switch, but no connection at the switch. Why does it go there?

[dingdong]

Dave I don't know about those diagrams. Look at the color schematic in the manuals section here. /Docs/Honda%20Go ... -F644B.jpg
This is the way my 76 is wired.

Edit: I just noticed that you have a 78. That is weird that the wiring is routed to and jumpered out of that connector without going anywhere. ???

[WingAdmin]

That is odd. I can only assume it was run up there for a feature that was either never included, or was included for specific countries only, not including the North American market.

I know some scooters run AC from the stator right into the headlight (which doesn't care if it is AC or DC). Maybe it was for something like that?

[Solina Dave]

That is odd. I can only assume it was run up there for a feature that was either never included, or was included for specific countries only, not including the North American market.

I know some scooters run AC from the stator right into the headlight (which doesn't care if it is AC or DC). Maybe it was for something like that?

Thanks WingAdmin, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's odd. You have no idea the number of times I traced the route followed by that alternator wire, before I convinced myself that I wasn't seeing things.
Those reasons would seem to be good possibilities. Especially the one about a feature unavailable to North America. Who knows? I suppose that's the question isn't it?

Who knows?....................................Dave

[PedroTQ]

G'day to All,

I have a 75, 76 and 78.

In the 75 & 76 that wire runs to the headlight switch and when you turn on the headlight a parallel switch completes the circuit so you have all 3 coils of the stator generating power.

When the headlight is turned off that coil of the stator is turned off as you do not want to be generating too much power, it may boil the battery dry or something like that???

Honda obviously realized that that was not required, but I guess it was cheaper to just use a jumper wire rather than re-designing the wiring harness???

I think that in the US you do not have the option to turn your headlights On-Off.

[PedroTQ]

Here is the wiring diagram.

[Solina Dave]

Thanks Pedro. I think you may have nailed it.
That was probably a prudent move on Honda's part to cost save. And also, where I live, in Ontario, there is no option to turn off the headlight. I'm sure it's the same in the U.S. They're always doing the same things we do!
Is everything nice and warm down under? We're just bracing for winter here.

Safe riding...................Dave

[Maz]

Thanks Pedro. I think you may have nailed it.
That was probably a prudent move on Honda's part to cost save. And also, where I live, in Ontario, there is no option to turn off the headlight. I'm sure it's the same in the U.S. They're always doing the same things we do!
Is everything nice and warm down under? We're just bracing for winter here.

Safe riding...................Dave

Dave, it's a European market thing. I'm in the UK and my '75 has it, as does my CB500T, but my US spec CB750 doesn't. As was previously mentioned it just compensates for the extra current required when the headlight is on.

Maz