weird earth problem 67 Atlas.

Thanks guys, We have messed with most of the electrics while the bike has been in bits, I was a bit stumped with the fact that I had metered the earth wire to check it is an earth  before connecting it to the rear light body . I'm thinking one of the flasher wires must have earthed on the rear light and is somehow carrying the live ,even though it has not been switched on at the bar switch.  All very strange as I had the indicators working the day before .  My head hurts!!.

I will be glad to get this done, No 1 son is getting very ratty ,not been able to ride since last year.My normal magic mechanic status  has long evaporated  and I have become an object of derision .Covid 19 took me to a dark place I have never been ,total apathy,no drive to complete anything. No IOM  holliday ,workshop in total chaos, stalled DIY projects everywhere.  Its now over 6 months since we had it . If it were winter and the usual dearth of bike possibilities I think  life would seem pointless. Thank god for an involving hobby ,we are blessed.

The Atlas is a rough old dog, but always willing and has kept going with minimal input for many years,whatever we do to it has opened a can of worms . We more or less anticipated the same with the electrics. I connected up the indicators and lighting to the rear,leaving the troublesome earth wire unconnected. The mudguard seems to be an adequate earth and all is working.I can only think the light feed (pilot ) must have a short to the earth lead somewhere ,but why it only shorts in one direction is a nonsense!!. Moving on to installing  the new saddle fixing and the kit supplied by Andover could never work. Just as I said,a can of worms!.

Head blasted, new guides,valves,seats multi angled,pistons re-ringed lightened,balanced.

Hi Jonathan, I'm always happy to meet up with another Norton sufferer!. And if your passing on your way you will be welcome to a cuppa /beer or workshop assistance. We seem to have resolved that issue by the well established method of ignoring it !.The bike is happy to provide its own earth thro the mudguard so we have left the annoying wire to its own devices. We have fitted LED indicators (pos earth) with a repeater bulb and tweaker. Most things now controlled by a modern multifunction bar switch (so cheap I bought two!) . The switch came with no wiring diagram (of course!) and the LED set with several bits of information that did not really gel.  Pos earth just adds to the confusion. Determination is the main requirement . Startup should be soon and I am fretting that the weird multi piece (similar to Cords but with even more parts) rings will be ok . In the meantime my 50 year old Dutch niece is visiting and has decided she wants the leather biker chick lifestyle and is looking for a "proper" motorbike . I think SV650----she thinks MT07. after passing her test. A bit too much I say.