main fuse-red wire

[william550]

Hi there,
I recently picked up a 1979 gs550 after being out of the motorcycle world for 20 years. The bike needs work.
This site is helping a ton.
The question I have (at the moment) is: there are 2 fuse boxes,
on the right side. The top box contains one fuse (main fuse?) and has a red wire coming out and is not connected to anything, but is just hanging down.
I can't find anywhere that it might hook up to. I'm thinking battery but doesn't look like it will reach across the air filter box to the battery.
Any ideas?
thanks

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. william550,

I don't recall any GS bike having 2 fuse boxes in stock form. A picture would help. In the meantime, let me dump a TON of information on your that should help you in your restoration project. It's your "mega-welcome".

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[william550]

fuse

fuse

Thanks for the info.

There is a large black fuse box with about 4 fuses, and then above it, a single fuse in a clear plastic box with a red wire coming from it.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I didn't know that the 550 had the fuse box and solenoid on the right side of the bike. We also number the cylinders from left to right, as you are sitting on the bike. So #1 cylinder is by your left foot and #4 cylinder is by your right foot.

Where is the other end of that red wire? Is it the output of your regulator/rectifier? If so, that ring connector probably goes on the solenoid on the same terminal as the positive battery cable. The solenoid (starter relay) is that round metal thing just to the right of the upper fuse box. (Forgive me if I state the obvious.) When making a direct connection to the positive terminal of the battery, the output of the r/r is fused in this way because you have bypassed the wiring harness and the stock fuse box.

Let's fix your picture a little.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[william550]

red wire?

red wire?

yes -it's all under the right sidecover. The small clear plastic fuse box only has one fuse in it. The hold down screw for this fuse box, grounds one end of the fuse holder to the frame. Then the red wire comes off the other end of the fuse holder and is just hanging down. I'm not sure where the wire is supposed to be connected.
any ideas?
thanks

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

That red wire obviously connects to one end of the fuse under the white cover. Where does the other end of that fuse connect? You're allowed to take off the cover and have a look.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[081dbx64]

I have the same bike. I believe the previous post is correct...it goes on the positive battery terminal on the starter solenoid. . I will double check when I get home. I use this fuse panel to run my radio.

 

[william550]

OK, thanks 081dbx64, It's looking more like it must go to the starter solenoid.
I don't know why the guy would have disconnected it. Then again he also removed the spark plugs and stored it outside under a tarp for 2 years and the pistons ended up seizing, so anything is possible.
Basscliff,--the other end of the fuse is grounded to the frame by the small hold down bolt. and yes, I was brave enough to remove the cover to have a look. btw, the information from all of your links is incredible, this bike might see the road again after all.

thanks guys, for the help.
bill

 

[BassCliff]

Basscliff,--the other end of the fuse is grounded to the frame by the small hold down bolt.

Hi,

This doesn't make too much sense to me. If that red wire connects to the battery side of the solenoid, the other end (on the other side of the fuse) should not connect directly to frame ground. Am I missing something?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[william550]

I guess you're right--the fuse would just blow right?
I'm at a loss at what it's for.
Bill

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Mr. 081dbx84 says he uses this fuse to power his radio. So it must be an AUX circuit. I would guess that what seems to be a ground on the mounting hardware isn't actually a ground. The bolt holding it to the frame must be insulated somehow. There should be a terminal on the other side of the fuse from the red wire that can be used to connect another wire, like from a radio. You might just want to take it off and have a real close look.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
​

 

[william550]

red wire?

red wire?

I think you are correct basscliff.
The fuse has a red wire coming off one contact
(little phillips screw) and the other contact (little phillips screw) is empty.
Must be an aux. fuse or something.
thanks,
bill

 

[081dbx64]

I just confirmed...in my bike this wire goes to the starter solenoid positive battery terminal. I ran a wire to my ferring to power my radio with this fuse block.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

OK, it seems we have it figured out.

One side of the fuse is the red wire which will connect to the positive side of the solenoid, in effect the (+) terminal of the battery. Connect your aux device to the screw next to the (+) sign there on the fuse block to power it. The (-) screw is a frame ground but is not connected to the fuse at all. Thank you Mr. 081dbx64.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[william550]

thanks for your help guys--lots more questions coming...