Wiring loom

Dellis said:
I’d just make your own. I did and got rid of loads of redundant wires, reduced the number of connectors and moved the switchgear connectors to inside the headlamp shell. It’s not a difficult job and is a bit improvement over the original especially under the tank where I now don’t have a great lump of bullet connectors.
Click to expand...
Most of our bikes are now over 50 years old. So complaining about rubber bullets that have persisted etc (as some seem to delight in doing) is a bit daft really. A good quality, well made, well fitted, new standard harness will likely give another 50 years good service in reality. So there’s nowt ‘wrong‘ with doing that really.

But… we should remember a few things like:

1. They were mass produced, to a price.

2. They were practically a ‘one size fits all’ for a very wide range of applications, leading to compromises and redundancy.

3. The availability and quality of components and tools for the DIY market is light years ahead of what it was then.

4. Most bikes have been modified in some way, requiring modification to the wiring plans.

So… when all of the above is taken into consideration, it’s pretty obvious that there is much opportunity to do a better job than fitting an aftermarket standard loom.

IF one has the aptitude for the task that is.
 
Ron L said:
But please do the next owner a favor and use the original wire color code. It is a pain in the rear to trace down a problem when a well meaning previous owner makes a nice compact harness with all black wire!
Click to expand...
Same color wire is a pain. I have a 46 Velo with a mag where the former owner did that. Even with a few wires it is a pain. I rung the wires and put small pieces of color coded electrical tape on ends to partially overcome the problem.
 
ilikevelos said:
Why not solder bullets to wire?
Click to expand...

Solder flows under pressure and the joint may loosen. This phenomenon is particularly aggravated when a wire is "tinned" with solder, then crimped. Crimp first, then solder, is more forgiving.

FWIW: the bullets on my Atlas were factory soldered. As original owner, I am certain of that. I do not think the female sleeve exerts enough pressure on the male bullets to cause the solder to flow.

Slick
 
Last edited:
Buy a decent ratch crimping tool and you won't have any problems with the crimps, the ratch crimping tool don't over crimp the bullets or connectors, using cheap crimping tools you will have problems with breakages where they were crimped to much.

Ashley
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top