How difficult is it to build a bike?
#21
Complete wiring harness is available and reasonable price wise. While it may be a bit tedious to get it swapped and looking neat sure takes the questions out of a buggered up then back yard rigged wiring job.
The rest I think you are on the right track if your last post is any indication.
The rest I think you are on the right track if your last post is any indication.
#22
I have the factory service manual, factory parts catalog and owners manual for my bike.
It seems like if you take your time, stick to assembling a basic design, research, seek advice, it should not be that difficult.
Then again, that is probably the perspective of someone who does not know enough to know what I don't know.
It seems like if you take your time, stick to assembling a basic design, research, seek advice, it should not be that difficult.
Then again, that is probably the perspective of someone who does not know enough to know what I don't know.
I'm all for the learning and doing, started when I was 12, (almost 50 years now). I would never discourage, just trying to be real. Done a couple of assemblies, never a build.
There are so many things to consider, that are already addressed in a factory bike, even one that has been screwed up. Alignment, rake, trail, spacers, balance, clearance, center of gravity, suspension, wiring, and more. Like Twisted stated a new harness is a huge headache reliever.
One of the first things I do on a new (used) acquisition is check all the things previous owner have done and usually redo them or undo them.
Please don't take my comments as negative, I know how tedious and even overwhelming chasing issues can be, especially electrical issues. Multiply that by 10 and you have yourself a build.
#23
You need to understand the EPA regulations also. Heres a article I found. http://thekneeslider.com/what-everyo...-from-the-epa/
#24
You need to understand the EPA regulations also. Heres a article I found. http://thekneeslider.com/what-everyo...-from-the-epa/
#25
If you're unable to tackle a simple rewire job, you are in no way ready to attempt to build a motorcycle.
Another option is to build a more basic "Chopper" wiring system yourself.
If you are not prepared to do this type of work, you're not ready to build a motorcycle.
Which won't fix your wiring problems.
You have your answer.
#26
If I want the most cost and time efficient path to a bike I want to ride, it is most definitely to buy one. But the same can be said about fish. If I want the most cost and time efficient path to fish for dinner, I go to the fish market. But if I like to fish.....
I have other bikes to ride. No rush to complete a bike. It could sit in the garage and take three years to finish a few hours at a time here and there. Start by learning about frames. Understand the geometry and frame characteristics that would accomplish my objective.
Then learn what comes next. Learn about that and then do it and so on until I am done.
Just seems more appealing to start fresh and new and learn how to do it right.
But it is probably a good point to sort out the electrical issues on my existing bike first. That would be a good learning experience. It is not that a can't do it. I just have not tried. But mechanics I have spoken to have suggested that for them a rewire job is an 8 to 15 hour job depending on what they get into. That means for me it is probably a 30 to 60 hour job. Which means that my bike would be out of commission for a while.
I have studied the electrical schematic for my bike and have been finding the various parts on the bike. It is an interesting process. That is how I determined that the front turn signals are not wired like the factor turn signals and they are different from the rear turn signals.
I need to remove the gas tank to dig in and follow all the wires. And I need to understand the significance of the different wiring configuration.
But learning about how all that works is part of the appeal.
I have other bikes to ride. No rush to complete a bike. It could sit in the garage and take three years to finish a few hours at a time here and there. Start by learning about frames. Understand the geometry and frame characteristics that would accomplish my objective.
Then learn what comes next. Learn about that and then do it and so on until I am done.
Just seems more appealing to start fresh and new and learn how to do it right.
But it is probably a good point to sort out the electrical issues on my existing bike first. That would be a good learning experience. It is not that a can't do it. I just have not tried. But mechanics I have spoken to have suggested that for them a rewire job is an 8 to 15 hour job depending on what they get into. That means for me it is probably a 30 to 60 hour job. Which means that my bike would be out of commission for a while.
I have studied the electrical schematic for my bike and have been finding the various parts on the bike. It is an interesting process. That is how I determined that the front turn signals are not wired like the factor turn signals and they are different from the rear turn signals.
I need to remove the gas tank to dig in and follow all the wires. And I need to understand the significance of the different wiring configuration.
But learning about how all that works is part of the appeal.
#27
The more you do to your bike the easier it gets. the first time you pull a tank it appears to be a major task. After that no big deal. Changing the exhaust header and all, first time seems like a big deal after awhile it nothing to pull it just to make another task easier.
Pull front or rear wheels. same thing.
Mark everything use you camera to take a lot of good pictures where things go. Research videos on how to , what a couple they are not always right.
On my 2007 RGU I made up my mind to remove entire front faring and paint the inter. Add to the list redo front seals and bushing. Put it off a few times the said the heck with screw it up or not I am doing it over winter. taking a lot of pictures with everything marker came in handy.
At times it looked like a nightmare I would never get back together. I took my time if something was not going well I stopped found out what I was doing wrong then moved on before I screwed it up. This just the start of what I was facing. You can do it.
Pull front or rear wheels. same thing.
Mark everything use you camera to take a lot of good pictures where things go. Research videos on how to , what a couple they are not always right.
On my 2007 RGU I made up my mind to remove entire front faring and paint the inter. Add to the list redo front seals and bushing. Put it off a few times the said the heck with screw it up or not I am doing it over winter. taking a lot of pictures with everything marker came in handy.
At times it looked like a nightmare I would never get back together. I took my time if something was not going well I stopped found out what I was doing wrong then moved on before I screwed it up. This just the start of what I was facing. You can do it.
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Sorg67 (06-13-2017)
#28
I think those who have advised that I should address the wiring issue on my 92 FLSTC before I jump into something more ambitious are right. However, I hesitate to get into that since the bike is currently running really well. The only issues are the turn signals and the neutral light. I do not care that much about the neutral light since I can tell by feel when I hit neutral and I never trust those lights anyway.
I would like the turn signals to work. But, I doubt I need to rewire the whole bike to make them work. I probably just need to sort out a ground issue.
I have replaced two wires on the ignition switch that went bad. My concern is that there are other wires on their last legs. But I hate to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
If I do replace the entire wiring system, then I am thinking of upgrading the entire lighting system to give me brighter and more efficient lights. If I am going to do it, I may as well do it all the way.
My bike looks a bit crusty and shows its age, but I like it that way. However, I want it to be in excellent running condition on the inside.
I am currently thinking that rather than assemble a bike from parts, get another bike around the same year as my softail so that what I learn on one would apply to the other.
I would want something that is more comfortable and better handling - more lean angle. Not interested in anything fast. The old 80 CID EVO is plenty fast enough for me. The Road King appeals to me, but I wonder if I could make something Road King ish but a little lighter out of something in the FXR line. Maybe like a FXRS-CONV. But I think that has a 19 inch front wheel and more rake than I would want.
Was there something from that era that was set up more like the current Fat Bob? Less rake and 16 inch front wheel?
I would like the turn signals to work. But, I doubt I need to rewire the whole bike to make them work. I probably just need to sort out a ground issue.
I have replaced two wires on the ignition switch that went bad. My concern is that there are other wires on their last legs. But I hate to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
If I do replace the entire wiring system, then I am thinking of upgrading the entire lighting system to give me brighter and more efficient lights. If I am going to do it, I may as well do it all the way.
My bike looks a bit crusty and shows its age, but I like it that way. However, I want it to be in excellent running condition on the inside.
I am currently thinking that rather than assemble a bike from parts, get another bike around the same year as my softail so that what I learn on one would apply to the other.
I would want something that is more comfortable and better handling - more lean angle. Not interested in anything fast. The old 80 CID EVO is plenty fast enough for me. The Road King appeals to me, but I wonder if I could make something Road King ish but a little lighter out of something in the FXR line. Maybe like a FXRS-CONV. But I think that has a 19 inch front wheel and more rake than I would want.
Was there something from that era that was set up more like the current Fat Bob? Less rake and 16 inch front wheel?
#30
I think I will work on tracking down the wiring issues without replacing the whole wiring system first. Doing that will help me get a feel for the bigger project. I am not that worried about the neutral light as long as it is not a symptom of a more significant problem that could have more significant consequences.
My dad was always a believer in balancing your check book to the penny since just a penny off could be the result of two offsetting big issues.