New MK3 Project for NC Rally, Maybe

The various plastic tape wraps tend to make loom thicker as well as less compliant yet prone to unravel at ends so suggest superglue to keep it tight w/o stickiness mess but I have seen the light on Peel so will use cloth wrap &/or thread loom weaving. The Lucas bullets are one the best most sure compact connectors for off the shelf items as long as not 40 yr old corrosion decayed or wiggled til copper wires hardened and breaking. Certainly lasts beyond warranty period. I think a special decal should be made for the deserving proud MkIII restorers, *Designed by Spragthrope sold by Norton* and another *Fully Police equipment comparable*.

Deets55 said:

I have been using this stuff:
http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/braids

Then close the ends w/ shrink wrap

Works well
Pete

Click to expand...

That is the stuff to use. I use it for all the harnesses on my FI bike. I like to use the silicone tape to seal the ends. No glue -but it bonds permanently to it's self after stretching it.

Best wishes on the plastic braid not unraveling fibers from vibration and heat or breaking out a lead from main loom. Tedious removing the self adhering sillycon tape w/o nicking insulation under though works well on my power cord and water hose nicks. Plastic braid does have a large part to play in next Peel but nothing to do with wiring neatness or protection, which tends to collect grime ya can not wipe out.

Almost done. Should be able to fire it up tomorrow.



Ken

It runs! Took it for a couple short spins around the neighrhood, and it seems just fine. Longer ride planned for tomorrow.

I did have to replace the stainless braided oil line to the rockers with a stock nylon item. Typical poor quality machining on the banjo bolt for the double banjos made it impossible to get a good seal. I'll probably just make my own bolt later.





The Interstate tank and seat are temporary, so I could finish the bike in time for the rally. I'll replace them with Roadster items later. I find the roadster riding position much more comfortable. But for the moment, it's finished.

Ken

Ken
Congratulations. Time now for a beer. 8)
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

That bike looks too fast to be an MK3. Nicely done Ken.

Nice bike.
Glad you got it done. In time too?

The tape is/used to be called loom tape. Normal electrical tape is the wrong stuff, as mentioned - too stiff and too gooey after a while and harder to make look neat.
As loom wrapping is a bit of a PITA, I use heat shrink in various sizes. Thinner and more flexible than the PVC loom toob often used by OEM's.

The idea of wrapping came about when the cables used to be copper covered only with cotton as an insulator. Before plastic insulation they were "DCC" - Double Cotton Covered.
Once there were sufficient wires to make a bundle rather than just laid flat, the wrap was supposed to exclude air, reducing fire risk in the case of a short - or "Lucas Event".
The covering was originally the well known and aesthetically pleasing but functionally crap cotton braid.
So I was told in 1966.

Ken,
Glad you have it running.See you at the Rally!
Mike

Did an 85 mile shakedown ride with it today. No problems except for an erratic, noisy speedometer, a blown rear shock, and some rattles. Ran great, though. A few detail fixes, and it'll be ready to go.

Ken