So it came time in my restoration (1964 Superhawk) to start positioning my wiring harness on the frame. I went into the desk drawer where it has been stored and pulled it out... I'd forgotten just how bad of shape it was in (in comparison to a restored bike)... Cut wires, brittle old tape and shrink tubing, corroded connectors w/brittle discolored insulators... the list goes on and I'm sure you've all seen what I'm talking about... So I started looking for a replacement... what fun this was... NOS harnesses (if they could be found) were still brittle and discolored from age and were selling for around $200! Then there's the Apex harness... which from what I've read is to say the least less than desirable... So I was left wondering what to do next... I counted the wires involved in the harness and decided to start hunting for it's components... The local hardware stores, electrical supply, and parts shops had nothing but standard primary wire... which was fine for all but the striped ones... and their connectors were cheap plastic crap... I found connectors at Vintage Connections (http://www.vintageconnections.com/) there I found the closest to original style connector/insulator... and after a little searching and a few phone calls I found Anaheim Wire (http://www.anaheimwire.com/contactus.html)who could custom make the striped wire and would sell it in 100ft spools... so I've placed and order for the wire and am awaiting a call back from their sales dept, and I've ordered a connectors kit from Vintage Connections with their special crimp tool... I have the original style heat shrink tube and wire tape in soft silver and I'm waiting for my wire and connectors. I don't see any reason why I couldn't produce a nice stock replica harness with all new hardware and wire built with today's technology... I'll probably build like 10 or so at once just because theirs no reason not to... If anyone has any suggestions or input it would be greatly appreciated and if anyone would like me to make one for them once I've tested everything and get all of the kinks out please let me know they should be pretty inexpensive comparatively... I've included some pics... My original harness and a test run made with some spare wire and tape(w/ no connectors or heat shrink tubing) Also if anyone has a Nos harness that's not installed I'd love some pics of it to verify that my original isn't missing any wires and to make sure I get everything as close to stock as I can...
Let me know what you think!
-Brandon-
New wiring Harness...???...???New wiring Harness...???...???
Last edited by Macgyver5 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wiring harnessMacgyver5,
Looks like a good project. I might make a suggestion to you regarding making several harnesses. Once you confirm your old harness is complete, fabricate a harness board out of plywood routing all the wires as they run when stretched out in a layout similar to how it runs from front to back on the bike. I have included a photo or two of a typical wiring harness board which should give you an idea of what I am referring to. If this works out, you might just have a good sideline started. Good Luck, Gary
'65 CL77 Owner
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