82 850GL Resto...here we go

[DannyMotor]

Loving the shocks! I cant figure how to take mine apart... they have a stupid chrome sleeve that covers half the coils...

[JimmyR]

1982 was my first year at Uni. In some ways riding motorbikes is a lot safer than my first year at Uni was...

[Steve]

That skinny little wire wheel looks kinda cool under that front end.

Not so sure about the white tire, though.

.

[Good Times]

Into the belly of the beast...

That's some funny stuff Steve!!!

That white tire is off of a G...irl's bike though and won't work on the L.

The wiring harness has been looming over my head. Pun intended. I tend to think about things too much. Should I build a new one, repair this one, change out some connectors, all connectors, vintage connectors, weatherpack, replace all bullet with spade, etc. etc. etc.???????

Then I get to the point where the little voice in my head says, just take the stupid thing apart and dive in. So that's what I did after taking many many pictures of every connector and label. Wound up with this big pile of old tape, plastic sleeves and wahr.



Saw the factory splices and wonder if I need to check these as well.


Eventually it got dunked in the Simple Green Spa. I think a wiring harness should take a bath every 30 years whether it needs it or not.


I will hit the connectors with some electronics contact cleaner I picked up at walmart today after I take it out. It should be nice and clean.

I want to upgrade the electrical system. Planning on replacing the fuse block with a PC-8 thanks to Mr. Steve. I also want to install some relays. Not sure which ones to do though. Coil, headlights, horn, etc. etc. Suggestions, thoughts?

I know a little bit about electricity. I've been shocked more than once in my life. I just feel like this is a little out of my wheelhouse though. But I ain't skeered.

Also picked up a few more SS bolts today that I missed for the lower right motor mount.

[cowboyup3371]

I hope you have better luck with the Simple Green soak than I did. After about 5 hours, I still had to scrub and rub pretty good with a rag before anything came clean. If you are luckier, please tell me your secret.

[Dogma]

...
Saw the factory splices and wonder if I need to check these as well.

I went through a similar process on my 1000G. I inspected every splice, and the only one that had any sign of trouble was the red power wire that carries the load from the R/R output. The soldered connection under the tape was starting to show signs or corrosion. My rearrangement of the charging system wiring eliminated the high currents at that splice, but I'm sure I re-made it. With lovely double-wall heat shrink tubing instead of tape. I will say though, the factory tape had done a good job of protecting all the other splices.

[Good Times]

I hope you have better luck with the Simple Green soak than I did. After about 5 hours, I still had to scrub and rub pretty good with a rag before anything came clean. If you are luckier, please tell me your secret.

The simple green did a really good job on the grease and dirt. I didn't let it soak that long. Only a couple of hours. It does not take care of residual tape adhesive though. I just happened to look over on my shelf where I had some Ronsonol. Fluid for my Zippo lighter. I keep a Zippo lighter not because I smoke, but because I think they are cool and I made it all the way to Weeblo in the Scouts and like to be prepared.

Here's a link for the Ronsonol: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ron...021241-product

Anyway, the Ronsonol said on the bottle that it removed label adhesive. I used it on the sleeve and it cleaned up really well quickly. I'll use it on any other adhesive I come across that I want to remove.

Today, when I get time after the big Easter Egg hunt at church, I'll start cataloging the wires I need to replace and see if I can find the right colors and connectors locally. Then I'll shop online if needed.

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks Good Times, that's a great idea for removing that gunk (might want to throw it in the tips section).

[Good Times]

Wasn't able to touch the bike yesterday or today. Too much going on this weekend with the Easter Egg Hunt and Skeet Shoot. Both were a great success but cut into my bike time!

Anyone know where I can find white wire with a red stripe? Can't seem to find that anywhere. I need to replace mine in the harness.

[Flyboy]

GT, awesome progress, getting on with the wiring harness, I am still walking big, huge loops around mine. But yours is looking really good.
She is going to be something else when done.
Drop Hampshire Hog a PM for the place that sells the auto wire, all colors all sizes, anything you want.
They in the UK, but how much can it cost to ship a small roll across?

And be nice about the G....irls bikes

[GateKeeper]

Wasn't able to touch the bike yesterday or today. Too much going on this weekend with the Easter Egg Hunt and Skeet Shoot. Both were a great success but cut into my bike time!

Anyone know where I can find white wire with a red stripe? Can't seem to find that anywhere. I need to replace mine in the harness.

Sorry but that right there, trumps any bike buiilding.....


glad to hear you had a good weekend, if my parts come in this week, I will have friday, saturday, sunday and monday, to work on the bike a bit, no regular work as it's Easter weekend for us here, only have to work my Dispatch gig, but that is OK, as it's over time......

[Steve]

I want to upgrade the electrical system. Planning on replacing the fuse block with a PC-8 thanks to Mr. Steve. I also want to install some relays. Not sure which ones to do though. Coil, headlights, horn, etc. etc. Suggestions, thoughts?

OK, you asked, here are my suggestions.

Relays? Only ONE is necessary. Just like the one installed in my fuse box thread.

Once you supply full power to the bike's harness (that you are cleaning up ), you will probably find that you don't need any other relays.

One possible exception would be one that turns the headlight off when you push the starter button.

.

[Good Times]

GT, awesome progress, getting on with the wiring harness, I am still walking big, huge loops around mine. But yours is looking really good.
She is going to be something else when done.
Drop Hampshire Hog a PM for the place that sells the auto wire, all colors all sizes, anything you want.
They in the UK, but how much can it cost to ship a small roll across?

And be nice about the G....irls bikes

Thanks Flyboy, the harness is not going to be as bad as I anticipated. I'm really glad. Just need to find the stock color wiring and the white with Red Stripe seems to be illusive. Thanks for the heads up with Hampshire Hog.

Oh and as far as the G's. Being such solid performers they can take a little ribbing from we "L" owners just to keep things interesting. Hey, we're all family!

Sorry but that right there, trumps any bike buiilding....

glad to hear you had a good weekend, if my parts come in this week, I will have friday, saturday, sunday and monday, to work on the bike a bit, no regular work as it's Easter weekend for us here, only have to work my Dispatch gig, but that is OK, as it's over time......

Hey GK! If I couldn't work on the bike then smelling gun powder is a GREAT alternative. Feeling a tight line with a fish on the other end of it is as well.

With all that time to work on the bike you should be riding it to the range in a couple of weeks!

OK, you asked, here are my suggestions.

Relays? Only ONE is necessary. Just like the one installed in my fuse box thread.

Once you supply full power to the bike's harness (that you are cleaning up ), you will probably find that you don't need any other relays.

One possible exception would be one that turns the headlight off when you push the starter button.

.

You read my mind Steve. I actually think this may be my best option. Think I'll add some of the suggested grounds as well. I had a ground problem to begin with some where that had blown my running lights both in the tail light and gauges. I'll go with the PC8 and spring for their relay kit as well. Cleaned up the ignition switch already, just need to replace the connector that was melted.

Spring break is coming up with the fam. Just have to figure out which parts to pack so I can work on them at the beach.

[Good Times]

So I'm just minding my own business when.....

....my wife looks at me and says, "Hey, when are you going to finish the bike? You need to hurry up."



So I jump to my trusty laptop and start tapping away. Not long after that I'm yelling across the room, "Don't freak when you see an international charge on the credit card from a company called EBEAVER."

PC-8 and 18in relay kit ordered.

Now I will take inventory of the wires and connectors I need to replace and order everything from vintage connectors and the wire source they have on their site.

I've been trying to keep this thing on the DL as to not affect the cash flow too much. Apparently my wife was is not in favor of that. How awesome is she????!!!!

Note from the editor: She is apparently feeling pretty cheeky as well. As I'm typing this she says, "I'm going outside on a bike ride with E. You see, we have bikes that work."

[pete]

Hahahaha awesome! Glad to see you getting motivated