New Wire Harness

[BillinSC]

I'd like to hear from anyone who has purchased and installed a new (presumably aftermarket) wire harness for a 1973 (or similar vintage) that they were happy with. I've noticed there are several suppliers out there for basically the same thing and prices vary a bit. I just want to make sure I'm getting decent quality from a reputable supplier and to know from others who've used them that they were good. I dont mind paying a higher price if I'm getting good quality (especially for a wire harness). Thanks

 

[pickleknuckles]

The one I used for my K4 is from 4into1 or Vintage CB. It worked out really well, once I figured out a few details.
They're made to be somewhat universal and I wasn't getting power until I jumped some wires, and there are a few extras on EU bikes that aren't on US models so I ended up capping those off.

 

[Loki]

How bad is your original harness? I only ask as I refurbished mine, stripped off all the tape and found all the splices underneath were suffering from failure of the tape covering the splices, all were remade with 3M tape then the whole taped up as original so all it took was my time and a roll of 3M tape.

Loki

 

[BillinSC]

Yeah, I haven't gotten that far yet but judging from what I can see so far it looks like there's been some shade tree mechanic/electrician work done in the past. I'm not opposed to refurbishing but for $100 to get new wires and connectors wouldn't be a bad deal assuming they're well made. Once I get the fuel, air and spark issues straightened out the rest of the wiring/electrical issue will be next on the list. Just considering the options for now.

 

[hinksy]

Yeah, I haven't gotten that far yet but judging from what I can see so far it looks like there's been some shade tree mechanic/electrician work done in the past. I'm not opposed to refurbishing but for $100 to get new wires and connectors wouldn't be a bad deal assuming they're well made. Once I get the fuel, air and spark issues straightened out the rest of the wiring/electrical issue will be next on the list. Just considering the options for now.

I went to all of the trouble , stripping cleaning and retaping my old harness and was very happy with the outcome . Then in the process of waiting to get the rest of the bike fixed , the block connectors turned to dust . So I bought new ones and cleaned and fitted them , While doing that I noticed the original wiring was becoming very hard and brittle , so I fixed it and will keep it as a spare and I got a harness from 4into1 . The gauge of the main red wire is smaller in all of the ones I could get to see , maybe it`s a newer better quality wire thing , I`m not an eggspurt with the technodigicals . All in all though , it was well made and fitted no problem and like you said " not a bad deal " The only thing I had a problem with was it is an american market harness and I live in australia , so it took some fiddling to get it to aussie spec

 

[BillinSC]

Im expecting some of the same on my 52 year old bike, just havent gotten that far yet. I love the blackout you've done on your engine! What did you use to do that? is it a mix of high temp paint and powder coating? Did you do it in or out of frame? Thats something I want to do with mine, or actually re-do since someone did a bad job of it sometime in the past.

 

[hinksy]

I used GM satin black , all of the 77-8 F2`s=3`s came blacked out , so I just touched it up

 

[pickleknuckles]

Yeah, I haven't gotten that far yet but judging from what I can see so far it looks like there's been some shade tree mechanic/electrician work done in the past. I'm not opposed to refurbishing but for $100 to get new wires and connectors wouldn't be a bad deal assuming they're well made. Once I get the fuel, air and spark issues straightened out the rest of the wiring/electrical issue will be next on the list. Just considering the options for now.

All vintage vehicles benefit from clean new wiring. It might not be a problem initially, but the wires themselves as well as their connections fatigue w heat and vibration, become brittle, and eventually start failing, leaving you to chase electrical issues at inopportune times.
Plus, a full harness refresh/replace is so cheap and easy to do on a bike that it's kinda dumb to ignore it as preventative maintenance when they're this old, wheather you do as hinsky or Loki did or replace it completely, it's worth doing.

 

[TripleNickel90]

The one I used for my K4 is from 4into1 or Vintage CB. It worked out really well, once I figured out a few details.
They're made to be somewhat universal and I wasn't getting power until I jumped some wires, and there are a few extras on EU bikes that aren't on US models so I ended up capping those off.

Do you have a good copy of the wiring diagram? I’m installing a new one as soon as it arrives in the mail.

 

[pickleknuckles]

Do you have a good copy of the wiring diagram? I’m installing a new one as soon as it arrives in the mail.

I do. I'm a software designer and I actually made a somewhat interactive diagram for my K4 so it's easier to trace complete circuits. I no longer have it hosted but could send a multi page PDF if you wanna DM me your email address.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, there are some deviations the new harnesses have from stock depending on where you get it. The only part that really had me stumped for a bit was the jumper I needed to make to actually get power to everything. I did not document that, my electronic ignition integration, solid state reg/rect, or starter safety delete, in my diagram, but would be happy to walk you thru any of it if needed.