Hide & Seek

I'm just beginning to install some components of the electrical system. When Kevin stopped by last week I mentioned how I'm always looking for a balance between ease of access and aesthetics when placing necessary electrical components on a bike. It's one thing for these guys that run everything inside the frame on a super high dollar custom bike, because guess what? Those bikes get rolled from one trailer to the next, and maybe accumulate 100 miles on them in 3-4 years. They don't get ridden. Anything I build is done so with the idea that it can be ridden every day. With that in mind, I always work to hide things as much as I can, but still make them reasonably accessible for maintenence/repair. Here are a couple of examples:

The main circuit breaker that I mounted on the bottom of the battery tray. Well hidden, but still close to the battery since the wire from it to the battery is the only unprotected wire on the whole bike.

Reinstalled in the bike. When the bike is on the ground, you'll never see it, but if you need to get to it it's still pretty easy. Also, mounted upside down so no water can settle down into it.

Barry chose the Cen-Tech wiring kit for this bike. It's a good solid set-up and comes with a rubber isolated circuit breaker mount for the ignition and lights breakers. I drilled and tapped two holes in the frame to mount it under the gas tank. Again, completely hidden with the tank on, but if you need to get to it you pull a couple bolts and the fuel line and lift the tank right off. I did my Evo chopper the same way years ago and it's proven to be a good set-up. I'm a believer in making your wiring as clean as possible and with a little planning you can do it and still make it maintenence friendly, for real bikes that see the road for more than just Hooter's bike night.