Originally Posted by Citoriplus

Don't worry, most people know that the police get upset when they see guy's letting their 'dongle' hang out in public.

Originally Posted by mud

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I've received several emails over the last two years asking about
extracting wires from the ever so popular AMP connectors.
HD uses these in several locations on their machines.

Here's the last one:

mud,
I picked up the short standoffs at the dealer today and wanted to
install them tonight but am unsure about the process.

Someone on the forum said you cut the wire for each signal and splice into it,

but the directions don't say anything to that effect.

They mention something about undoing the plug from the rear tail light area instead.

I've never done any electrical work on my bike before
so I'm not really sure if these mod is out of my league.

Any chance you might be able to decipher the instructions
and give me some tips on doing the install?

Thanks,



******, yeah nice to hear from you.

I am a strong believer in NOT cutting wires.

Yes, remove the lens, then unplug the fitting.

Really very simple to disassemble the electrical connectors
so you can pull the wires thru the standoffs.

I've heard quite a few folks on the forums
brag on how fast they can cut the wire and then solder.
Sadly, that bit of misinformation is a joke.

I can extract several before you can even get out
the snips, soldering gun, solder, shrink wrap, heat gun, etc.

Patience is a virtue while mastering this technique on the first wire.
After that, they get easier.

I can release them in a matter of seconds now.
Same is true for the other connectors that HD uses -
Deutsch, Packard, Delphi -
NO need to BUY SPECIAL extraction tools for any of these.


Here ya go:

Remove the two screws that hold the taillight to it's housing.
Use a small screwdriver to push the lock tab down a little,
and pull the fitting out.
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This image below shows the 2 hole AMP and the tip of the 16 gauge wire I use.

Blue arrow shows a slight bend, and the tip is hammered flat.
Red is the first lock to undo. This is what holds the wires in the fitting.

Green is the tab that you released in the first step above,
it locks the fitting to it's receiver.

Green on the right is opened way up for some of the pix farther down.
Don't bend it out or you will ruin the fitting.
They are cheap, fifty cents or so.

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Blue below, better shot of the 16 ga tip.
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Next image you see I put an S bend in my release tool so I can control it better.
Also here you see that I have the turn indicator wire pushed fully IN
while raising the lock tang inside.
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Now, below, once you have the lock tang lifted,
extract the wire.
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Don't forget to pay attention to which wire comes from which side of the fitting.
There are small numbers on the housing.
In this case. 1 is purple, 2 is black.
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Next two images illustrate where the tang is, and where the tip of my tool needs to be.
Green is pulled way up here simply for the photo.
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I suggest buying a couple of new sockets so you can fold this way wide open
for your first try at this. If need be.

Little blue arrow indicates how far the end of the tang lifting wire needs to be.
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I made two video tutorials.............................
These are great fittings, but, they are not watertight.
Green below shows a generous dab of dielectric compound on the tip of a little brush.
Red - the fitting is full
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Above - HD rear standoffs.
Below - close standoff on left. Stock on right.
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Originally Posted by featman

Hi Mud,
Very impressive details of your work you put together. Thanks....from a DIY-er.
Getting ready to tackle turn signal relocation on my 2007 LOW Rider so's I can install a detachable backrest. Problem is....I can't find where to get the 16 gauge bare wire you created as a fitting release tool. I would have to buy an expensive spool of the wire and that doesn't make sense. Any other ideas on where to get wire or something else I can use? Also, can I get at the original turn signal bolts under the fender without a jack? I hope so. I don't have one. THANKS for any thoughts you can offer.
Featman
Brooklyn NY

Originally Posted by h8ter

In my experience, one at a time isn't the best way to go. On my shovelhead I would roll the bike on to progressively taller blocks of wood until I could fit a 4x4 under the frame. I would start with a 5/8 piece of fiberboard, then a 2x4, then check for fitment of the 4x4. Basically a poor man's lift. Careful removing the bike.

If that doesn't work, I would often take a piece of 4x4 and place it under one side of the frame. Lean the bike onto the 4x4, and place a 4x4 and shim (5/8 fiberboard again for me) under the opposite frame rail. Then lean the bike onto the 4x4 and shim and place a shim onto the first 4x4. Repeat as needed, increasing the height until your rear wheel is off the ground. Easy!

If you don't feel like experimenting with that, Harbor Freight sells a decent lift for a great price. It's not a Handy that you'll have forever, but I've had mine for about three years and it still works great.

Originally Posted by WS6 Formula

Originally Posted by FXD2003Rider

Welcome to the forum from the Netherlands, Richard.

As an addition to mud,s info check out this image on the use of a jewlers screwdriver or a one end flattened paperclip:

Originally Posted by PsTaN

Warning .... got no pics on this one. (My new year's res is to get some pics of my scoot.)

Turn signal black-out : If you've added smoked lenses to your turn signals and arent thatimpressed cause you can still see the amber bulbs .... this is for you. Hit the parts store for new amber bulbs ( 2 each amber 1156 and 1157) and some black/dark gray paint. I used Krylon Fusion although I think BBQ High Temp Black would be best. Tape off each bulb so that you can paint the back halfthat you see through your smoked lenses. Spray with a couple of coats and let 'em dry. Re-install with the new blacked-out bulbs. Now, you'll have a much darker .... almost totally black turn signals .... but once you flip them on the un-painted portion will still light up amber and reflect off the inner unitas normal. Done deal!!

Later ...

PsTaN