I have just fitted a side stand to my Pantah 500 SL. The side stand came with a switch. There is a side stand idiot light in the dash. The switch has one wire and a white plastic round pin connector. Are there standard provisions for this switch in the Ducati loom?
OK but what is the function of the STAND light on the dash? Cannot find a switch on the centre stand and it would be a bit daft if there was.
It tells you that the stand is down and that you’re going down in the next left hand turn if you don’t do something about it. Are you sure your dash is the good one for a Pantah? I know nothing about Pantahs, but I can tell you that Darmahs had similar panels with a side stand warning light. You need to look at your bike user’s manual. And if you don’t have it, you need to find one. And a workshop manual. And a parts catalog…
No function. It doesn't do anything. Dash panel adapted from other models which do have a side stand. OK, it is a bit daft!
According to the wiring diagram I have for the 500SL a side stand was available as an option although I doubt if this was ever actually offered. The wiring diagram (colourised by me) shows a side stand switch (Item 22) but the wiring shown is absolute nonsense and if the red/white and black wires made a connection would connect the 12V ignition straight to earth!
The thing about older Ducati model's side stand switches/warning/idiot lights is...9 times out of 10 they tell lies. Best thing to do with them is to remove them.
On my 851 monoposto, the most beautiful bike ever owned, I was so afraid I might drop the bike one day due to the spring loaded side stand I removed the spring. But with the spring removed the side stand can be forgotten. All japonese bikes I have owned from about the mid 80's have a side stand protection system using clutch and neutral switches to prevent the bike from moving when in gear and releasing the clutch. I decided to fit a system like that on my 851 and I managed using only two small relays and a clutch lever switch which the early 851 did not have but has provisions for. It worked flawlessley. With the pantah having a fairly unreliable neutral switch and no provisions for a clutch switch I will be left with just hooking up the switch to the STAND light on the dash. I figure that if I fit the brightest (LED) bulb posible I will be sufficient enough to warn me.
Or you could just consistently operate the side stand yourself, as everyone did back in the day. And as I do.
OK, so you place your trust in the stand light you install. Then one day it fails. And you have created a risk and a problem. Good luck!
I have faith. And life has risks. But I cannot stand a light on the dash without meaning. Must be my male autistic gene
Good afternoon and happy new year to you all! Today went to the garage to have a quick peak into the idiot light cluster to see if by chance the STAND light was already connected to the loom. I was very surprised that is was! A white wire with a red tracer was connected to the ground lug of the STAND light. I found the other end of this wire unconnected under the seat unit. Perfectly located for the wire coming up from the Side Stand switch. I connected them and voila, an illuminating STAND light. 15 minute job!
[QUOTE You effectively answered your original question yourself!] Indeed. Happens all the time! Just noticed that the white wire with a red tracer, on the wiring diagram @Derek posted, is indeed the wire from the STAND light to the switch. The switch itself is not correctly drawn on the diagram as there seem to be two other wires involved which aren't in reality. Interesting. I wonder if more Pantah owners have an unconnected white /red wire under their seat unit.
