Isn't it funny how we buy something new and proceed to take it apart immediately

[ptfjjj]

This thread getting deep. I think I'm going to need a shovel to get out!

 

[rem]

I have a black on you can use. R

 

[SisuTen]

I would be honored if you considered me for the position of "Co-Chair" for your noble effort intended to provide support for our comrades cursed with ....er....poorly developed judgement, as it were.

Perhaps an Annual Gathering of BLACK bike riders carrying BLUE flags emblazoned with the image of a BLACK bike. Maybe we could call it "Don't be BLUE, Boys" We could do it in conjunction with the National Democratic Convention in Charlotte, NC on June 30, 2012 ::007::

 

[SisuTen]

This thread getting deep. I think I'm going to need a shovel to get out!

Coal, spade, or grain shovel?? Got 'em all! ::008::

It was a stupid thread, just like the color thing, so who cares?

Just havin' a little fun! ::003::

 

[rem]

Maybe we should just relent and agree to co-mingle on a more or less equal basis with our lesser brethren, the blues. We could just become a black and blue organization. We could call it "Operation Bruise". That way we won't have any bruised egos. ::003:: R

 

[SisuTen]

Maybe we should just relent and agree to co-mingle on a more or less equal basis with our lesser brethren, the blues. We could just become a black and blue organization. We could call it "Operation Bruise". That way we won't have any bruised egos. ::003:: R

You really can be a buzz kill, Rem.

Didn't Truman once say "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen?" Hmm, maybe it was Margaret Thatcher. In any case, you can't molly-coddle sensitive egos. You either have a proper ego or you're playing in the wrong league.

That said, the BLUE boys will likely respond, hopefully with spirit and conviction. It's the American way. >

Besides, Rod started this color thing and continued relentlessly. We'll just have to see who's grinning when all is said and done, eh?

Paul

 

[newventurer]

back at you ::013::

 

[2tall]

RonH, there are a lot of things in this world that piss me off. To name a few, distracted drivers, the way our government is being run and the shape our country is in. What people choose to do to their motorcycle is strictly a personal decision and in no way affects me or you. You have repeatedly expressed your displeasure with the personal choices of others, I dont get it.
Let it go, lifes too short. Go ride your motorcycle and have fun, dont sweat the petty stuff and dont pet the sweaty stuff.

Geez, I thought he was throwing in some sacrastic humor. He is serious? Maybe some help is in order.

 

[elizilla]

I must admit I like those purple lights. They'd be silly on any bike I would own, and I'm not much for pure cosmetic mods anyway. Plus I have learned that they're considered uncool in the circles I belong to. But I still like them. :-[

Geez, I thought he was throwing in some sacrastic humor. He is serious? Maybe some help is in order.

I assume he's trolling. Here fishy fishy fishy. It certain was a very successful thread derail...

 

[rem]

Gorgeous bike, RonH. Gaw-jus. I've been totally messing with you guys. Hope I haven't offended anyone. I get carried away sometimes. I have absolutely no concerns whatsoever about how anyone else chooses to outfit - or not - their bike. I can certainly appreciate your point of keeping 'er clean and bare. No worries. I'll settle down a bit before I get myself into trouble.


Looks like I now have everything I ordered for the bike. I'm ready to head off to B. C. next week. Wish me good weather. R

 

[doctorj]

Beautiful bike Ron. But the point was not what you do with your bikes. Keep them entirely stock and don't add a heated gear outlet either if you want. I've got no problem with what you do. But what I do with mine or others do with theirs is strictly up to me or them. Respect and honoring one another goes both ways. Chill out and enjoy life since it really is easier on ya.

doctorj

 

[elizilla]

I buy them to ride, not as investments. But I do agree with Ron about certain types of farkles. For example, drilling holes in the exhaust to make it louder. I wouldn't ever do it and I wouldn't buy a used bike that had it. And I think it's really important, when adding electrical farkles, to avoid hacking up the stock wiring harness. I never cut anything in the stock harness, or add anything to the circuits already in the bike; instead I build an entire separate accessory harness that goes to the battery, and my only intersection with the stock wiring is a tap for switched power to trigger a relay. I choose this very carefully - I don't want it to foster corrosion of the existing harness, even 20 years from now, and I don't want it to weaken anything. I like posi-taps for this, with dialectric grease on the point, but I try to avoid using a posi-tap an important wire - I prefer an accessory wire or a taillight wire; there are usually plenty of wires that switch with the ignition, that don't actually affect the bike's ignition system. Sometimes I get that switch by unplugging a stock connector, and making something with matching connectors that I can plug inline, which contains my tap. I don't like those insulation cutter phone taps, and I don't like cutting/splicing/soldering any stock wiring. I don't want a used bike that this has been done to, either. Things like that are potential trouble spots.

 

[justbob]

elizilla, I like the way you think and work.
I operate pretty much the same way.

 

[SisuTen]

I buy them to ride, not as investments. But I do agree with Ron about certain types of farkles. For example, drilling holes in the exhaust to make it louder. I wouldn't ever do it and I wouldn't buy a used bike that had it. And I think it's really important, when adding electrical farkles, to avoid hacking up the stock wiring harness. I never cut anything in the stock harness, or add anything to the circuits already in the bike; instead I build an entire separate accessory harness that goes to the battery, and my only intersection with the stock wiring is a tap for switched power to trigger a relay. I choose this very carefully - I don't want it to foster corrosion of the existing harness, even 20 years from now, and I don't want it to weaken anything. I like posi-taps for this, with dialectric grease on the point, but I try to avoid using a posi-tap an important wire - I prefer an accessory wire or a taillight wire; there are usually plenty of wires that switch with the ignition, that don't actually affect the bike's ignition system. Sometimes I get that switch by unplugging a stock connector, and making something with matching connectors that I can plug inline, which contains my tap. I don't like those insulation cutter phone taps, and I don't like cutting/splicing/soldering any stock wiring. I don't want a used bike that this has been done to, either. Things like that are potential trouble spots.

In regards to building custom harnesses. Do you ever solder or are all of your connections accomplished via mechanical means? Just curious.

Paul

 

[elizilla]

In regards to building custom harnesses. Do you ever solder or are all of your connections accomplished via mechanical means? Just curious.

Paul

I know the purists think nothing but solder will do. But in my experience it always fails. Always. And quickly, too. It makes the wiring brittle and it breaks. And yes, I know you are supposed to heat the wire, and press the solder to it so it wicks in, not just heat the solder and drip it in. But it's terrible, it doesn't work. Heating the wire just makes it brittle and melts the insulation. Some of the solder purists have told me I must not have a good soldering iron, and maybe that's true. It's on my list to research and buy one, but so far I haven't. If it is true, then obviously I can't just buy whatever soldering iron looks good - I will have to research the topic. And I haven't done it yet, since I am having great success with my crimps.

I ordered a high quality crimper, and good parts, from vintageconnections.com. I got a whole kit with the assorted plastic connectors, and plenty of crimps. The crimps have two sets of fingers - one wraps around the wire, and the other wraps around the insulation for support. They don't tug apart. Then I put them into the plastic connectors, and plug them together. The connectors have very frequently matched what I found in the OEM harness in my previous bikes, so I can make things that plug directly in. I have found them to be extremely reliable. I like the older style larger connectors, for my own stuff, but I have also got a bunch of the smaller ones to use when I want to match something in the stock harness and it's the small ones.

I put connectors into my accessory harnesses so that I can take them apart as needed when I have to take the bike apart. It's tedious to have to unstring and restring long wire runs every time you adjust the valves. And since I can disconnect things as needed, I am free to use lots of cable ties and wire wraps to protect and support my wiring.

 

[SisuTen]

Luckily I am not a soldering purist and find no disrespect in your pejorative. ;D

To toss soldering out the door without proper research is foolish. 'Nuff said.

Paul

 

[doctorj]

About the only thing I did different than Katherine was to do a positap on the blue/black wire from the accessory 4 wire plug to get switched power to my fuzeblock. If it bites the dust in the future, I'll make a different connection since it would be pretty easy. But I've had pretty good luck with positaps.

doctorj

 

[ptfjjj]

About the only thing I did different than Katherine was to do a positap on the blue/black wire from the accessory 4 wire plug to get switched power to my fuzeblock. If it bites the dust in the future, I'll make a different connection since it would be pretty easy. But I've had pretty good luck with positaps.

doctorj

Eastern Beaver sells the other side of that 4 wire aux plug. You could just make your own adapter for your fuze block and plug right into that one....

 

[limey]

RonH, there are a lot of things in this world that piss me off. To name a few, distracted drivers, the way our government is being run and the shape our country is in. What people choose to do to their motorcycle is strictly a personal decision and in no way affects me or you. You have repeatedly expressed your displeasure with the personal choices of others, I dont get it.
Let it go, lifes too short. Go ride your motorcycle and have fun, dont sweat the petty stuff and dont pet the sweaty stuff.

I have been working out of town for 2 weeks. Man I missed this forum. and you are so right life is to short.

Paul..