Building wiring diagrams in draw.io: A Simson Schwalbe case study

Simson Schwalbe: More than a moped

Engineered in 1964 in Suhl, East Germany, the Simson Schwalbe KR 51 (named after the swallow bird) became the backbone of GDR mobility. Today, it has achieved cult status across Germany for its vintage aesthetic, extensive customizability, and general nostalgia.

The design philosophy for East German vehicles like the Schwalbe moped and the iconic Trabant mirrors the modern Lean approach: maximum efficiency and beautiful, simple design with zero bells and whistles.

As any enthusiast knows, owning a piece of history means maintaining it. In an era where “fixing it yourself” was a necessity rather than a hobby, having a clear plan was the difference between a running engine and a garage ornament.

In this blogpost, we’re bringing a 1960s icon to the digital age by showcasing a Schwalbe wiring diagram, built in draw.io by our one and only Bastian Schmitt.

The Simson Schwalbe our teammate Basti lovingly restored

Simple by design

In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), resource scarcity drove innovation. Engineers for the Trabant and the Schwalbe couldn’t rely on complex, expensive parts. Instead, they prioritized a minimalist build: using the fewest materials while ensuring it ran reliably, and that it could be repaired by anyone.

Just as the Schwalbe was designed for accessibility, the clearer you build your diagrams, the more accessible they are to your team. By using standard electrical shapes, color-coded connectors, and draw.io features like layers or multipage diagrams to organize elements, your diagrams are easier to understand and digest by a wider audience.

The finished Simson Schwalbe wiring diagram in draw.io

Tips for building a wiring diagram in draw.io

When Basti, draw.io Subject Matter Expert and Schwalbe enthusiast, set out to restore his moped, he discovered that even “new” replacement parts were often Soviet-era surplus. Lightbulbs and switches manufactured in Karl-Marx-Stadt (now Chemnitz) decades ago are still circulating today!

Electrical shape libraries vs. custom shapes

While draw.io has extensive electrical shape libraries, the Schwalbe has some unique quirks due to its setup.

Our teammate’s solution was therefore to use a combination of standard electrical symbols and custom shapes formed using grouped elements.

To group elements to form a custom shape, click and drag over the selection of elements, then right-click and select Group.

Pro-tip: Once you’ve built a custom component, for example the specific charging diode (51), drag it into your personal Scratchpad. This becomes your own custom library, allowing you to quickly access and reuse shapes you’ve created across different diagrams.

To add items to your scratchpad, select one or more shapes and click the plus (+) icon to the right of the Scratchpad in the left side menu.

Diagram layers, connectors and colors

Using the layers feature to separate out different sections of your wiring diagram, along with custom colors for wires and shapes, can help direct the eye and avoid your wiring diagram looking like a confusing pile of spaghetti.

Layers: The Schwalbe wiring is as beautifully simple and streamlined as it can be. However if you’re building out complex diagrams, using layers to distinguish between different connections or shape types allows you to toggle specific systems on or off, making it easier to troubleshoot a single component without visual clutter.

Check out our Layers YouTube playlist for ticks and tips on using layers in draw.io

Connectors and custom colors: Match your digital connectors to the physical wires. For example, if your Schwalbe uses a brown and white wire for the ignition, color-code that specific path in your diagram.

For more information on the different types of connectors in draw.io, check out our YouTube playlist: draw.io Connectors playlist

Just like the Simson Schwalbe, draw.io is built to be extensively modified! You can go beyond basic shapes to ensure the diagram editor fits with your organization’s needs:

• Custom colors and fonts: Maintain brand consistency or technical standards by defining specific hex codes and typography.

• Custom libraries: Beyond the Scratchpad, you can create and share entire libraries of custom components with your team.

• Interface customization: For Admins, you can use JSON code to customize the draw.io interface itself. You can disable features for example, or set a custom background color for the menu bar to match your company branding.

Find out more: Customise default colours, fonts, styles and the draw.io UI in Confluence Cloud

Using draw.io in Confluence for wiring diagrams

By building your wiring diagrams directly within Confluence, you ensure that your technical visualizations live exactly where your project documentation does, securely stored in your single source of truth.

With Confluence permissions, you’re in control. Your Confluence pages and embedded draw.io diagrams can be shared across teams or restricted to specific individuals.

All the text in your diagrams is indexed and searchable via Confluence global search, helping you locate the diagrams you need.

What’s more, with Confluence Version History and draw.io’s Revision History, you can track and revert changes at both the page and diagram level with confidence.

Ready to map out your own project?

Whether you’re restoring a KR 51/2, documenting a modern electrical system, or just trying to bring some “Lean” order to a complex project, draw.io gives you the tools to simplify the complex.

With dedicated electrical shape libraries and a full range of customization options, embrace the DIY spirit of the ‘60s with today’s digital precision, and start building your wiring diagrams in draw.io today!

Want to dive deeper into the world of draw.io? Access our linktr.ee page to follow us on social media and learn how others use draw.io, as well as pick up some helpful tips and tricks.