Cable disconnected identify please

[Walmart Ninja]

I was farting around tonight and noticed a large black cable that goes from the frame to nowhere. See attached. I assume it should go to the battery negative post? Maybe why he didn't have spark?

There is also a small black wire attached to the battery negative post that goes somewhere to the rear of the bike that I didn't track down yet.

Thanks for wisdom

 

[dirtdigger]

That is THE negative cable from the battery.

 

[Walmart Ninja]

Thanks digger. OK - did a little checking. The other smaller black wire connected to the negative terminal joins a green wire and a brown wire and looks to attach to the frame behind the seat lock. The original ground seems too short to reach the battery. Wondering if someone made this revision to bypass that issue?
Is it legit? see 2 pics. The red arrow shows where the 3 wires ground to the frame.

 

[dirtdigger]

I guess its hard to say whats going on with out really being able to see it in person. The wire could have been shortened, doesnt look like an original battery end. The new wire looks way too small. There should only be one wire off the battery negative side, sounds like a hack job for sure.

 

[Walmart Ninja]

Digger, thanks again. I know the battery is new. I don't know what other kind of witchcraft was done on the wiring though.I will have to make up a longer cable and disconnect the black one that goes to the frame currently.

 

[Loki]

Digger, thanks again. I know the battery is new. I don't know what other kind of witchcraft was done on the wiring though.I will have to make up a longer cable and disconnect the black one that goes to the frame currently.

Ground cables should be green although on mine there was some green/yellow in the harness when I stripped it, looked original but both ends were green where it came out of the wrapping tape, black is ignition switched live and shoudn't be connected to battery negative, where did it go as looks like someone has done a repair and only had black wire to hand, needs to be changed out as could cause confusion at a later date.

Loki

 

[dirtdigger]

The battery ground cable is always black and your battery positive will always be red or black with a red marker of some sort.

 

[dirtdigger]

Vintage CB750 has reproduction battery cables with correct ends and no guess work plus they support this page. Take a look at their site reasonable prices.

 

[Walmart Ninja]

Thanks

 

[Loki]

The battery ground cable is always black and your battery positive will always be red or black with a red marker of some sort.

Well aware that the heavy gauge negative battery lead is always black however small gauge black wires in the harness are ignition switched live so if one of them was connected to the negative battery terminal could all end in tears.
Across the world there are many and varied conventions for wiring colours so never assume anything and always check before connecting the battery!

Loki