This is an old revision of the document!


REF: Electrical System

Ironhead - Schematic Drawings (created with reference to the OEM manual)



1959-1985 Sportster Main Wiring Diagrams

The drawings below have been created using the factory schematic drawings from the FSMs as reference.
They are available here but are not intended to replace the factory drawings.
Some parts symbols are generic, may not represent the actual period parts and have been spread out for clarity from the originals.
However, the parts are labeled. Click on a drawing to enlarge:

1959-1962 Sportster CH

1)

1959-1964 Sportster H

2)

1963-1964 Sportster CH

3)

1965 Sportster CH

4)

1965-1966 Sportster H

5)

1966 Sportster CH

6)

1967 Sportster H

7)

1967-E1969 Sportster CH

8)

1968-E1969 Sportster H

9)

L1969 Sportster H

10)

L1969 Sportster CH

11)

1970-1971 Sportster XLH

12)

1970-1971 Sportster XLCH

13)

1972 Sportster XLH - Standard Seat

14)

1972 Sportster XLH - Low Seat

15)

1972 Sportster XLCH - Standard Seat

16)

1972 Sportster XLCH - Low Seat

17)

1973-1974 Sportster XL

18)

1973-1974 Sportster XLCH

19)

1975-1976 Sportster XL

20)

1975-1976 Sportster XLCH

21)

1977 Sportster XL

22)

1977 Sportster XLCH

23)

1978 Sportster XL

24)

1978 Sportster XLCH

25)

1979 Sportster XLH/XLS

26)

1979 Sportster XLCH

27)

1980 Sportster XLH/XLS

28)

1981 Sportster XLH/XLS

29)

1982 Sportster XLH/XLS

30)

1983-E1984 Sportster XLH

31)

1983-E1984 Sportster XLS

32)

1983-E1984 Sportster XLX

33)

1983-1984 Sportster XR-1000

34)

Ironhead - Simplified Wiring Schematics

This wiring diagram is a minimal config - No Starter - No Turn Signals - No Front Brake Switch - No Kill Switch.

The ignition module is an Ultima version and fits in the nosecone where previously only the cam sensor plate was mounted. In this diagram the Ultima Single-Fire Configuration is used, feeding separate trigger signals to the dual coils to fire the front & rear spark plugs separately (the Ultima BLUE wire fires the front coil & the Ultima PINK wire fires the rear coil).

If you choose to use a dual-fire configuration of the Ultima ignition, it will also work when you pair it to the appropriate dual-fire coil. In that case, you will only use the Ultima PINK wire to fire the selected dual-fire coil. (The Ultima BLUE wire will not be used at all with a dual-fire version.)

Using the VOES connection with either configuration (which helps with idle & cruising spark timing by providing more advance) is recommended by connecting the Ultima VIOLET wire to the VOES unit.

Implementing a tachometer is optional. If used, the Ultima GREEN wire will connect to the tachometer signal input wire. The tach will also need a ground connection on the bike and key-operated power for the tach light.

There are only six wire colors to minimize wire purchase: Black - White - Red - Blue - Yellow - Green. There are enough colors so that no connecting point should have the same color twice in order to make it easier to know which device is connected to/from another device.

This circuit uses the Frame/Engine for ground conduction. Be sure you have good ground points at the needed locations or run a separate black wire to those locations to assure a good ground.

Beware that the brake light shares the same fuse as the ignition circuit - So, if you have a short to ground in the brake circuit it will blow the fuse & kill the ignition. You could add a separate fuse for the brake light to avoid that potential problem.

The diagram shows an optional Gen Light, implemented with a diode and an incandescent bulb.

To implement the VOES, add it with a vacuum hose to the carb - then wire the single VOES wire into the Violet Wire of the Ultima ignition module.

To implement a tachometer, use a normal HD dual-fire tach and wire the input signal to the Green Wire of the Ultima module.


Some Other Simplfied Wiring Diagrams to represent basic wiring:

Wiring for Magneto Fired Sportsters 35)

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Wiring for an Electric Start Sportster 36)

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Generic HD Wiring Diagram 37)

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Ironhead CAD Wiring Diagram ('77) 38)

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1)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 168 used as reference
2)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 166 used as reference
3)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 170 used as reference
4)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 173 used as reference
5)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 172 used as reference
6)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 174 used as reference
7)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 175 used as reference
8)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 176 used as reference
9)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 178 used as reference
10)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 180 used as reference
11)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1957-1969 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH FSM pg 181 used as reference
12)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-3 used as reference
13) , 14)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-5 used as reference
15) , 17)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-7 used as reference
16)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-6 used as reference
18) , 19)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-9 used as reference
20) , 21)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-11 used as reference
22) , 23)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-13 used as reference
24) , 25)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1970-1978 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM pg 5-15 used as reference
26) , 27) , 28) , 29) , 30) , 31) , 32) , 33) , 34)
drawing by Hippysmack, the 1979-1985 HD Sportster XL/XLH/XLCH/XLT FSM used as reference
36)
drawing by OutlawTexan67
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