Subject: RE: '71 Ambo wiring
Author: Jesse Open
Date: Aug 4, 2003, 11:40 AM
Post ID: 1714032535
You got it ! Crimp SOLDER and heat shrink ALL terminals is the way to
go. The good terminals aren't found at the Radio Shack either . The good
terms are found at auto electric supply houses as are relays ,fuse
hoders ,sockets etc. I can post a few sources in a bit to help those
seeking the stuff. The crimp kake a mechanical ?electrical connection
,the solder SEALS the connection and the shrink tubes helps relieve the
strain at the connection .Also, premium wire is a good bet . The better
wire will have more strands of finer wires to make up a given wire
gauge. If you shop some of the surplus houses Teflon insulated wire
commonly used in aircraft applications can be found .
A little extra time at this point can save a lot of ugly time at the
side of the road later on .
Chris Mitchell wrote:
Hello Sean.Complete but rough '71 ambo/ok with a wrench/new to guzzi restoration - sounds quite familiar. I am currently rewiring my '71 ambo - my wiring harness was shot when I stripped the bike down. I got a new one from mgcycle (I am sure the usual suspects -Moto Guzzi classics/ Moto International/etc - carry them as well.) Wasn't too expensive. I am putting a few modifications on mine (Japanese switch/starter off the key) and a few improvements (relays for the lights and horn) but its still pretty straight forward (annoying but straight forward). Might be easier than spot fixing all the problems. Couple o' tips for rewiring (things I have learned from f'in up or wisdom I have been given): 1. Do not throw out your old harness - its serves as a road map (may want to label stuff as you take it off) and can be cannibalized for the wires that don't come with harness (there are a couple). 2. Relays - apparently stock guzzi electrics melt things like switches - run them for the lights and the horn. I got mine out of the Dave Washburn parts bin but I am sure someone on the list can point you in the right direction. 3. Go to Radio Shack - buy a connector set, heat shrink wrap, a crimper, preferably a multimeter (or a continuity tester a least) and a soldering iron. Very very useful. 4. A wise man once said that for important wires (like those going to the coil) that you need to crimp a connector onto - crimp, solder and then cover with shrink wrap. Loose wires = highway problems. 5. A good diagram is a beautiful thing. I have a simple one I can email you (obtained from Paul Linn) or use the one in the manual. Good luck. Chris M.- NYC From: Sean Flanagan Reply-To: Loopfram-@topica.com To: Loopfram-@topica.com Subject: '71 Ambo wiring Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2003 09:45:32 -0700 Greetings all- I recently found a complete-but-rough '71 Ambassador for a first-timer restoration project. I'm OK with a wrench, but only been into motorcycles for a few months, so I am climbing that learning curve. My other bike is a '00 Jackal. Anyhow, I have the Ambo in a state of disassembly for tank work (POR-15 treatment & lining), wheels off for new rubber & brake check, and so on. While in there I noticed that the wiring just looks scary -- copper showing in a few places through melted or abraded sheathing, lots of "mystery wires" with no place to go, knots of electrical tape, etc. My urge is to tear all of that out, and re-wire it completely, but I don't want to get in over my head & get overwhelmed. As a relative newbie to motorcycle wiring, I seek your sage advice -- fix what's there, or do the re-wire? Or somewhere in between? Thank you in advance Sean F in Flagstaff, AZ USA Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. |