175TS with 125S engine project

[George]

I obtained 3.4mm and 3.6mm springs to check difference. Made up jig to give pull to valve open position using my fishing weight spring balance.
3.4 = 32 lbs 3.6 = 34 lbs. Very little difference apart from the 3.6 springs are longer, that would make pull more or less the same. The springs I bought from Jesus Guzman advertised as 3.6mm measured at 3.5mm. All things considered I left the Guzman springs in head.

Rebuild is taking shape. Have started checking over wiring. Lots of wires twisted together! There are two 15 amp fuses in headlight shell. Looks like previous owner broke off one of the fuse holder wires and twisted wire onto live side of holder bypassing fuse. Fitted a 30 amp fuse to other fuse holder. You couldn't make it up.
Photos of before and after

[DBDBrian]

That's an excellent job George, countless hours I have no doubt, It's good you have the before and after pictures to tell the story. I lost my before pictures, as I had not downloaded them when my wife had her bag snatched along with the camera while on holiday.
The Ducati wiring arrangements are something else without doubt, I'm in the process of a complete rewire, as I have gone to 12Volt,

[George]

My thoughts are to bring wiring back to standard apart from extra earth from headlight shell to frame and addition of led indicators. I will keep 6 volt / points. Most of my riding is daytime and might add led headlight

[blethermaskite]

little tip I learned many years ago with Ducati singles....bolt an earth wire to the engine itself (I use a cylinder head stud with a brass banjo tag under the washer) you can easily get a high resistance contact between the engine and frame with paint finish, the extra earth guarantees no hidden gremlin there in the 6v system. Bike looks super by the way....great job!.
Cheers
George

[blethermaskite]

little tip I learned many years ago with Ducati singles....bolt an earth wire to the engine itself (I use a cylinder head stud with a brass banjo tag under the washer) you can easily get a high resistance contact between the engine and frame with paint finish, the extra earth guarantees no hidden gremlin there in the 6v system. Bike looks super by the way....great job!.
Cheers
George

[Duccout]

Fantastic, really lovely George, well done. Have fun with the wiring ( at least it's simple).

[DBDBrian]

Yes, earth wires are a must, you can't rely on painted joints, or a circuit through the steering head is not good news for the bearings.
I made an extended stud for the engine earth connection.

P1080017.JPG

[George]

Pleased to say wiring is complete and everything works.
The little Ducati lives.
I just had to fire it up, started third kick and ran it on bench for about five minutes. Still got a few more jobs to do plus setting up carb before taking it out, but only if the sun is shining. A good day today.

[Duccout]

Yay!

[ranton_rambler]

Pleased to say wiring is complete and everything works.
The little Ducati lives.
I just had to fire it up, started third kick and ran it on bench for about five minutes. Still got a few more jobs to do plus setting up carb before taking it out, but only if the sun is shining. A good day today.

Very good!