how do you install a new harness. 79 850 g

[ron bayless]

I think my 79 850 is not worth trying to resurrect. the harness has been so hacked into, I cant tell where anything goes, the tailight, instrument panel, headlight bucket are alll disconnected. No front master cylinder. I think its not even a good parts bike now. But in regard to installing a replacement harness on any bike, do you first carefully remove the old one as intact as possible. then take the replacement one and try to plug and play what you can up front and somehow work your way to the back? There are coils, regulator, rectifier, signals, ignition switch, solenoid, all sort of necessary connections to make.So it it seems that a connector on the harness will match a connector on the bike side of the harness and after plugging enough things together it might work? Is that the way it goes?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Plenty of resources at your disposal: Color and B&W wiring diagrams and Factory Service Manuals on BikeCliffs Website. You’ve been here a while. I’m sure you’ve been directed there before. If not, link is in my signature.

[Big Block]

And yeah: That's pretty much how it goes. Taking it apart you can use a cell phone to take a bunch of photos if you like. However things sort of fall into place. I bought my 1100E in boxes this spring and the wiring didn't really give me any trouble figuring it out and I hadn't taken it apart. suzy.jpg
IMO the connections in the headlight will give you the most confusion but you just work through them.

[Ronbayless]

I have been here on this forum 20 years, but i have not owned gs bikes most of that time. I am aware of many links here, and cliff's site, and nessisms helpful tutorials, but its not the same as actually doing it. The picture of this disassembled 1100 is my kind of project. but give me wiring and I am totally lost. Thank you for input.

[Ronbayless]

as ususal for 20 years when I ask a question one person tells me the answere is here on the forum, search for it. others answere with helpful answers.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Wasn't being flip Ron, and if it came across as snarky, then I apologize. It was the only help I could give. Not at all sure how "The picture of this disassembled 1100" helps you down your path, but Good luck with your project.

[bwringer]

Two things:

- The manuals should have diagrams of the wire and hose routing. I know factory manuals do, and one of the aftermarket brands does.

- There's a certain consistent logic to the way wiring harnesses are routed; pay close attention and think carefully about things like what needs to move, what doesn't move, what needs to come apart for service, potential pinch points, etc. and a reasonably competent humanoid will figure it out. The biggest mistakes are in routing in the steering stem area (creating pinch points is common by running things too close to the lower triple) and in the headlight bucket.