Whats better for wiring handlebars?
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Australia
i was lucky my wideglide had enough wires already in the frame for 16" Bars 
Nams sell wire extensions, easy kit to use all the hard work is done !
http://www.namzcustomcycleproducts.c..._96_to_06.html
Nams sell wire extensions, easy kit to use all the hard work is done !
http://www.namzcustomcycleproducts.c..._96_to_06.html
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
i was lucky my wideglide had enough wires already in the frame for 16" Bars
Nams sell wire extensions, easy kit to use all the hard work is done !
http://www.namzcustomcycleproducts.c..._96_to_06.html
Nams sell wire extensions, easy kit to use all the hard work is done !
http://www.namzcustomcycleproducts.c..._96_to_06.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: Franklinton, NC
I made my own extensions, regardless what you do it's a tedious job. Be sure to shrink wrap each individual solder connection then shrink wrap the whole thing. Took a couple of hours to complete the job. not difficult at all. good luck.
i have to dissagree... i have had over 9 bikes in my shop that shorted out when the ext unplugged and hit the bars shorting out the whole system... i sugest solder even with extensions
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
I also acquired some braided nylon wire loom (as well as some stainless braid) to cover the wires coming out of the bars and down to the backbone. I wasn't sure if I wanted the stainless (to match my cables/brake lines) or not. Turns out the black nylon braid looked better.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Everytime you make a connection you create a chance for failure. There is less a chance if you use plug assy's and they are put together correctly. Everytime you use solder you put more resistance in the wire run. Maybe its negligible maybe not. But its there. I have also seen solder joints gather moisture over time. No shrink tube is going to keep 100% of the moisture out. Doing it more than once helps, but in all my years of building cars and working on bikes I have found sticking to conventional terminal block assy's to be much more reliable, and breaking down on the road with shorted wires in your bars is a whole lot more of a b!tch than when in a car, so I go with what I have found to work the best for me. My bud also agrees and he's been a HD wrench, service mgr and bike builder for nearly as long. So its not just me.
So I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I sure cannot question your work or creations JRK, you make some wicked cool bikes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
As many times as this Joe changes bars I would have to agree with him. Many issues to be had with those extensions. Everybody I know who is experienced in HD building solders the connections. They do make rolls of wire that have all of the HD colors in them. The best of both worlds. Solder and color matched. I am cheap so I will just get some 16-18 ga and take my time wiring and marking the wires.