Bike runs better after new earth lead fitted

As part of my prep for an upcoming trip to Phillip Island from Brisbane ( approx 5000 km including side trips ) I made up an extra earth cable running direct from battery neg to frame earth point to go with the already fitted VFRness, rec/reg and stator. The next day there was a noticeable improvement in the smoothness and low speed running. The only other thing I had done at the same time was a clutch bleed so I dont think that would have made a difference.
I was wondering if perhaps the computer is now being grounded properly and performing better. Anyone else had this experience or would care to comment

 

I've noticed similar effects when bolstering the ground path. Not sure if it has something to do with the ignition getting better juice or if the loads on the rotor/stator are lower because of reduced losses. Or maybe it's something else all together. I just filed it under the "don't look a gift horse in the mouth". Enjoy your trip!

 

What gauge wiring did you use?

 

Good idea even if your bike is running fine. You can never have too much ground from your negative terminal to chassis. As far as gage size, the bigger the better while still using common sense. Checking existing ground points now and again is a good idea too, corroded ground points cause the funkiest electrical problems.

 

That sounds very interesting. Could you offer more details? Where exactly did you find a place on the frame to ground it? did you drill or was there an existing point that you used? Did you sand the frame at the grounding point? And you simply used a thicker wire and ran directly from battery negative to the frame?

 

Very interesting, Tell me more.
Photos please

 

Here is the problem.

There is usually a ground on asian motorcycles from the battery to the engine case.
The bolt is steel and steel and aluminum get along galvanically .

But....The wire and eye fitting are made with copper. Bad news.
Copper and aluminum is worse. Because they are so far apart on the galvanic scale. Especially around ocean areas and some weather conditions.
Florida is where many corrosion tests are performed on metals by the American Welding Society.

I have removed engine bolts that went all the way across the engine case casting and the entire inside of the hole was full of white powder from corrosion.


That is why another ground is so important.
And if you can get a ground from the battery to the frame as well as a ground from the battery to the engine , the harness will have much better protection.

EXAMPLE:


In this photo of the engine ground you see copper, steel, and aluminum.
After a few years, the corrosion can take hold.



I

 

Thanks Donald,
Will do that...

 

AND, use Ox-Guard on all the connections. You can get it at ACE Hardwear, a tube will last YEARS.