Chopper Cache

Fitment, source notes & wire connections

Shovelhead Magneto & Capacitor Chopper

1966-1984 · Shovelhead · Kick-only / magneto / generator / battery eliminator

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Community reference trace · By Choppercache

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Diagram reference

An interactive Shovelhead magneto chopper reference that keeps the self-powered ignition separate from the batteryless lighting and charging circuit.

This diagram shows 12 components and 13 wire connections. The details below describe the saved diagram; they do not confirm compatibility with your machine.

Recorded fitment
1966-1984 Shovelhead
Configuration
Kick-only / magneto / generator / battery eliminator
Circuits labeled in the diagram
Charging, Grounds, Main, Lighting, Ignition

Components shown

  • CAP · Battery Eliminator Capacitor

    DC smoothing / no stored starting power

  • GND · Ground

    Battery negative return

  • FUSE-01 · Fuse

    Battery feed protection

  • FUSE-02 · Fuse

    Charging lead protection

  • GEN · Generator

    Regulated DC charging output

  • REG · Generator Regulator

    Generator input / controlled DC output

  • KEY · Key Switch

    Battery / accessory / ignition-on distribution

  • DIMMER · Dimmer Switch

    Two-position selector

  • HEAD · Headlight

    High / low beam

  • TAIL · Tail Light

    Running lamp

  • MAG · Magneto

    Self-powered ignition / ground-to-stop lead

  • KILL · Magneto Kill Switch

    Ground-to-stop magneto lead

Source notes

Community reference trace · Choppercache Community magneto references consistently keep the magneto kill lead separate from the 12V system. Grounding that lead stops the magneto; do not apply battery voltage to it. Recorded reference URLs: https://forum.chopcult.com/forum/nbsp/american-bikes-build-threads/22631-magneto-wiring https://forum.chopcult.com/forum/nbsp/main-forum/53710-wiring-killswitch-with-alligator-clips-magneto

Community reference trace · Choppercache

Publication note: Community magneto references consistently keep the magneto kill lead separate from the 12V system. Grounding that lead stops the magneto; do not apply battery voltage to it.

Limitations and checks

Community magneto references consistently keep the magneto kill lead separate from the 12V system. Grounding that lead stops the magneto; do not apply battery voltage to it. These recorded references do not establish that this circuit has been tested on your motorcycle. Match the installed components, polarity, terminal pinouts, wire sizes, and circuit protection to the relevant service documentation before applying power.

Verify your hardware pinouts, polarity, wire sizes, and component ratings before applying power.

Wire connections (13)
Wire connections recorded in this diagram
FromToGaugeColor
CAP · GNDGND · GNDReference not shownBlack
CAP · DC +FUSE-01 · BATReference not shownRed
FUSE-01 · LOADKEY · BATTReference not shownRed
GEN · GENREG · GENReference not shownGreen
REG · B+FUSE-02 · BATReference not shownRed
FUSE-02 · LOADCAP · DC +Reference not shownRed
KEY · ACCDIMMER · INReference not shownRed
DIMMER · HIGHHEAD · HIGHReference not shownYellow
DIMMER · LOWHEAD · LOWReference not shownYellow
KEY · ACCTAIL · TAILReference not shownRed
TAIL · GNDGND · GNDReference not shownBlack
MAG · KILLKILL · STOPReference not shownGround-to-stop lead / verify
KILL · GNDGND · GNDReference not shownBlack
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What happened on real bikes?

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Community reference
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