K1100LT - Where does this ground lead go - it won't start!

[bolshieoz]

Hi all,
Pretty simple query but I can't seem to find any reference anywhere.
1) I'm putting my '92 K1100LT back together after changing the clutch and I thought I had it all pretty well documented, but I've come across a ground wire that I can't quite place. It's the short brown (about 50mm) ground wire that seems to go somewhere on the coil assembly (see the attachment item 21) with ring connectors at each end. Clearly it has something to do with the coil assembly but I can't quite figure how it fits.

2) Could this being missing have anything to do with the fact that the starter won't turn? Everything else seems to be connected as it was and I can't spot any obvious reason for no go on the starter. The bike has had the ABS removed and bypassed correctly by the previous owner and the sidestand cutout has also been bypassed. All was working Ok before the teardown.

Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Scott_]

The only thing that I can think of is that it may have been a ground strap for the old ABS1 control module case.
Not having had my hands on an ABS1 bike I can't say for certain. I don't recall seeing anything like that on my later LT's.

Your main battery ground should connect at the starter base bolts, so make sure they are in place.

You said that the side stand switch was bypassed, make sure you didn't "undo" that bypass.

What happens when you turn on the key, dash lights, fuel, temp gauges move?

[bolshieoz]

Thanks for that Scott. I'm inclined to agree with you on the redundancy of the lead without ABS. Certainly the ground leads that attach to the starter motor fasteners should be adequate ground for both the coils and starter motor.

Sadly, the starting problem turned out to be between my ears. What I thought was neutral turned out to be a false neutral and I neglected to look for or notice the absence of the neutral light on the panel. The bike started like a champ as soon as I found real neutral.
Many thanks for your help and patience.

[racinrich]

thats probably the one that goes from the starter mount bolt to the battery tray

[johnny]

a good practice for all motobrickers when posting problems should confirm 1 to 4 and say what they see and hear when the key is turned on...

1-on center stand...
2-side stand up...
3-kill switch in middle position...
4-gearbox in neutral...
5-turn key on... what do you see and what do you hear...

yawl...

j o

[Scott_]

....What I thought was neutral turned out to be a false neutral and I neglected to look for or notice the absence of the neutral light on the panel. The bike started like a champ as soon as I found real neutral.

Did the bike not start with the clutch lever pulled in? If not then you probably need a new clutch switch. It's mounted at the clutch lever, a plunger switch that screws into the clutch perch.

[mystic red]

Or bypass it.....

[racinrich]

found it its the short ground wire from coils to trans,bike is all apart