Headlamp ground

[Pan58]

I replaced all the wireing of my 58 panhead. Question now is the correct grounding points of the headlamp. Looks like the ground wire from the tripple connector of the sealed beam has to be fixed inside directly to the lampbody. But as from 1955 on they used a rubber mounted headlamp bracket, looks like I have to properly ground this bracket as well. I have no contact when measuring with my ohm-meter between headlamp bracket and frame. The bracket has a small screw in the middle of the 2 mounting bolts. Is this for grounding?

Anybody an idea or some pics of the proper grounding points / wirerouting of the headlamp of a 58 panhead?

Talking about ground, where goes the groundwire to the frame, coming from the horn switch of the handlebar?

Thanks
Pan58

[58flh]

Pan58----You will find your schematic in the K-Base!--That screw is for ground.----Richie

[Pan58]

Thank you Richie, I have my schematic, but the question is, where are these grounding points on the frame / fork? Under which screw / nut? I don't find any pics.

Pan58

[58flh]

Pan58---Where your ground from the battery goes to the frame/-Its transferred to the frontend thru the neck of the frame!---Im saying Ground at frame as I do not have mine wired per sdhematic!--I actually run 3-grounds on my bike!--The Heavy one to the frame from batt.-Then to a engine mount,& another to the front-end!/--If your rubber mounted (the headlight)-It has to have a bolt going thru it to make contact with the metal on the front-end!--Or you have no light!.Are your washers in correct order? that hold the bucket on.You have to make contact with the metal in order to produce a ground!--(YOU KNOW THIS!)--How about taking a ground from the board behind the inside nacelle-cover on the front-end!--THAT should work!---But I know its not STOCK & It sounds like your looking for a correct factory wiring set-up!--Im sure others will help here!--On that note --(I cant stress enuff that its NICE to run a X-TRA GROUND!)--Ive seen it many times that a connection gets loose or turns green & NO GROUND--THEN your stuck!---It can always be hidden if worried about judging!---RESPECTFULLY----RICHIE

[Pan58]

Thanks Richie,

but you're right, I try to find out the correct factory wiring set-up. If this is not good practice, of course I will have to use an extra ground wire

Pan58

[55panFL]

I think I have pictures on my work computer of my 55 headlamp grounds. I can post tomorrow for you

[55panFL]

Hope this helps you. this is a 55fl

[UPSROD]

On mine the wire from the mounting bracket goes to the top screw holding the terminal plate to the top tree.

[RUBONE]

On mine the wire from the mounting bracket goes to the top screw holding the terminal plate to the top tree.

That is the normal location.

[john HD]

Toothed star washers under the terminal ends of the wire help as well.

john

[Pan58]

Thank you all for that.

And where is the green ground wire coming the handlebar for the Horn Switch located?

Thanks
Pan58

[Cotten]

Food for thought, Folks!

Isn't the real ground connection through the headstock bearings?

Eeuww... that grease can't be conductive, and if it isn't there, the bearing fails.
I have even heard it suggested that bearing wear is accelerated by "arcing".

Aside from AMCA judges' stink fingers, might not a separate ground wire to the frame be prudent?

....Cotten

[james]

I run a ground through the harness to the headlight for this reason. Undetected.

Jim

[Gotnoclass]

Pan58, I also have a 58. Ran the ground to the top mounting screw that holds the terminal plate to the fork. Also, the headlamp bucket has a on the bottom shell that supposed to hold the ground from the 3 prong connector. Most likley the River is gone and someone put a screw there. You can easily replace it with a new rivet, but it requires the squeezer and the special top and bottom dies. A bit of an expense, but this is how it goes if you want to get it right - not to mention going through the trouble of cad plating the rivet.... I just finished all me electrical, so I'm fresh minded about it. Feel free to pm me with any questions.
Ran

[FlatHeadSix]

Isn't the real ground connection through the headstock bearings?

Eeuww... that grease can't be conductive, and if it isn't there, the bearing fails.
I have even heard it suggested that bearing wear is accelerated by "arcing".

Aside from AMCA judges' stink fingers, might not a separate ground wire to the frame be prudent?

....Cotten

Cotton,
Yes (if 'real' ground is factory standard procedure) the only chassis ground provided to electric accessories on the fork comes through the headstock bearings, it has forever
Yes (that is the suggestion, conducting electricity will accelerate bearing wear) but this manifests more rapidly in dry bearings, so, bearing failure may be due to lack of grease and not arcing
Yes ( a separate wire will cure any possible problems and can certainly be installed undetected as James mentioned)
mike