turn signal wiring diagrams - one wire or two?

[canyon_jack]

hi,
just got my first 1979 xs eleven - nice. it has cheesy aftermarket turn signals that i'd like to swap out with the original ones i have.

Problem - my wiring diagrams shows rear signals having 2 wires and front 1 wire OR rear signals having 1 wire and front 1 wire OR rear signals having 2 wires and front 2 wires.

What is the correct diagram for a 1979?

thanks
jack

[bikerphil]

Which model do you have, a Standard or a Special? They are wired up differently on the front signal, rears should be the same wiring for both models. Standards have front running lights, Specials don't.

[crazy steve]

If you're looking at a Clymer wiring diagram, it can be a bit confusing. When looking at your actual stock lights, the rears will only have one wire coming out of them. If you have a Special, that will also be true for the fronts. The other wire shown on the diagram is a ground. If you have a standard, the rears will wire the same, but the front signals will have two wires coming out of them (one for running, one for signal) and these are grounded through their mounting bracket so there won't be a separate ground wire.

The ground wires have a large eyelet that goes under the nut that holds the signal stems in place; the other end connects to a harness ground.

[canyon_jack]

thanks .....

i have the special ..... so now it makes sense to have just the one wire.

[fredintoon]

i have the special ..... so now it makes sense to have just the one wire.

Hi Jack,
one power wire up the middle of the signal stem, yes.
Equally important is the ground wire that ends in an eye that fits around the threaded signal stem.
No way will the signals be grounded just by doing up the nut, the ground wire HAS to be there.