Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Spent the whole day in the garage trying to get all my new parts installed and still not complete. FZ-1 fuseblock installation turned into a nightmare. Needed to extend the power and ground wires coming back from the battery to feed the fuseblock. My soldering skills are nonexistent. If you are ever stranded somewhere with me and our lives depend on me being able to successfully solder and heat shrink 2 wires together on the first try and you're not allowed to help me, well, make your peace with God because we're both gonna die.

Finally broke down and ran to the hardware store and bought a new soldering gun which did help but still took me multiple attempts before I was happy with the results. Moved on to the Clearwater light and ran into the next roadblock. Their instructions are incorrect or at least I think so. They mention 2 relays on the FJR on the left side, one with 4 wires and one with 5. Problem is there are actually 3 relays and the relay with 5 wires they tell me to use the wiring colors aren't matching up. Calling Clearwater tomorrow and asking them what's up. Could tear my 2014 apart but their lights and wiring harness have been updated since 2019 so I'm not sure it would match up anyway.

Managed to install my Zumo XT mounting plate and run the power cable for that. Installed the Warm & Safe heated gear power cable. Installed a SAE connector lead to feed power into my tank bag that is always switched on so I can also use it as a battery tender lead should the bike ever sit for that long. Discovered multiple missing fasteners like the little push pin type for bodywork, a couple of bolts for fuel tank trim, and a "spring plate" for a 1/4 turn fastener that attaches a fairing side piece. Just ordered almost $50 worth on small parts from Partzilla to fix all of that. Overall, still think the bike was a good deal at $3k just needs some stuff you wouldn't see at first glance. Pictures coming later, too fed up to deal with right now.

 

Sounds like a frustrating day. Have you ever used these?

$17 180PCS Solder Seal Wire Connectors-haisstronica Heat Shrink Solder Wire Connectors-Waterproof Wire Connectors - Insulated Electrical Connectors Butt Splice(5Colors/5Size)

https://www.amazon.com/Connectors-h...0812784&mcid=47efce3f6ea83440960f404340b76568

 

I love those things

 

I have done a shit ton of wiring over the years, and was a purist with my solder gun. Well a buddy owns a sweet off-road shop and after we used them to wire up my rock crawler I never looked back.

I can say that they hold a connection. I used to bounce my rig on all the hardest trails on the east coast. Never once lost a connection.

 

No, I haven't. Do they really hold up long term for a motorcycle application like this?

 

I can say that from my experience they have. Never have I had a failure. For good measure I also add a little electric tape, but to be honest, I think that was my paranoia

 

I've always had good luck so far with static balancing. I've mounted a few tires for my friends' track bikes and static balanced them and they've never had any complaints (that I know of, anyways...).

What kind of soldering iron did you get? You ideally want one that's 75W+ to be able to "flow" enough heat to solder bigger wires. I have a cheaper one I bought off Amazon for ~$40 that claims it's 90W but I don't necessarily believe it.

I always set the heat above 800F, even for smaller circuit boards. The idea is you want to be on the wires for as little time as possible, and having the heat set too low will cause you to have to hold the iron to the job for too long, causing heat to flow elsewhere and melt/destroy things. A hot iron and quick dabs are the way to go.

I personally love soldering and making harnesses. If you were local I'd take care of all of those lights for you.

I don't like those for one reason - you need to heat those to 200+F to get them to melt, and if your wires are near anything else delicate, that's a lot of heat you're pumping in to the surroundings. My friend tried that on his truck and ended up melting part of his air box from the heat before we shielded it. A soldering iron's heat is a lot hotter but much better contained.

 

Also, more specifically I did wire up some Baja Designs lights to my 1190r using these connectors, and I by no means am easy on the bike in the backwoods. I have hit washboard for long stretches running 55 thru them, no loose wires to speak of. Now again, I did add some electric tape and wire loom, cause I am anal about my installs.

 

Never had this issue. But then again, I setup my harnesses off the application. I don’t like using hot guns near the bike, once rested a heat gun on my seat, being an idiot I ruined an $$$ seat.
I say go with what works for you, if you never give it a shot, you will never know.

 

At least in my experience it's not always possible to be soldering off the bike (if you're soldering into existing wiring or a harness, for example).

 

It may be over kill, but if I have to use any torch or heat source near my bike, the whole thing is covered with a welding blanket.
I have seen some nasty shit go down and watched a buddy loose a bike all together. Good thing he got it out of his garage before it set it on fire.

 

So go solder his shit bro! That would be swell of ya! Lol

 

On the other hand I know you miss the big twin so it’s a hard call

 

Raced my 500 every race this year at pir but 1 race from getting too banged up. And that’s a 2014 victory. Had the 500 since 2016 and the victory in 2018

 

+1 I have a good weller 45 watt pencil soldering iron with a GOOD tip that I maintain. Thing gets HOT quick..... Key to soldering, QUICK and PERCISE heat, with good Lead based solder (screw the ROHS hippy lead free solder.... its crap, it will crack and takes WAYYYYYY to much heat to flow proper).


BTW @but why tho what tape are you using in some of those posts when you make your wiring harnesses, its not standard electrical tape, looks textured and more flexible.

Love ALL of these pics, the variety, smiles and competition. This is what Motos are about!

 

1973 Kawasaki ad.

 

I already said if I could, I would have loved to? Are you really that offended that I don't like those heat gun solder tube things?

Oh yeah, I always use lead based solder and a fume extractor. I haven't had luck with lead free stuff either.

I use Tesa tape for my harnesses:

$7 Tesa's Most Advanced High Heat Harness Tape 51036 Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW

https://www.amazon.com/Tesas-Advanc...id=1702272522&sprefix=tesa+tap,aps,308&sr=8-3

Heat shrink over the solder joint and then the entire thing is wrapped in Tesa tape. It's very sturdy, doesn't get chafed or cut easily and looks pretty OEM.

 

No bro, I would care less what you like and don’t. It was merely a joke.

 

Back when men were men, women were women, motorcycles were simple and stylish.

What a time!

 

I'm ok with the changes to the bikes, but wouldn't mind if women were more like those from that era. Not a fan of boss "babes" with half shaved heads that get bitchy if you hold a door.