Really crappy weekend, need help

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Aug 15, 2012 | 01:30 AM

rudeboy3

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Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Flagstaff, AZ

Really crappy weekend, need help

So I need some ideas after my rant. This last weekend I borrowed a friends trailer and another persons tie downs to bring my superglide to CA(I didnt ride it because I had to bring some things in my truck). Anyway I load up the trailer and head off. I make it about 440 miles out of the 460 and I hear a loud thud. The goddamn tie down snapped and my new to me harley fell on the trailer. (Thank god it didnt fall off the trailer). I pull over and pick my bike up. I look at it and see a giant dent in the gas tank as well as some other damage.

To try and make the trip a little better, my buddy and I tried to install my T bars I just got from a member here and ended up shorting some of the electrical due to trying to use the stock cables and wiring and not internally wiring (my guess is at least).

So now I am out of money, my bike looks like crap and my new bars made it so I cant ride.

Anyway, one problem at a time. Should I try and get the dent popped and repainted (ill try and get a pic soon) or just get a aftermarket bare tank and be done with it? For the wiring and cables, is this seriously going to be a 5- 600 dollar project just for bars? I know I should have done better research but what I was coming up with is that for 10 in T bars the stock wiring and cables *should* work. Should I just look for used street bob cable kits online or is the stealer my only hope?

Sorry for the essay, I am just new to Harleys and pretty bummed from this weekend.

Aug 15, 2012 | 01:48 AM

macnab_sf

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Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 804

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From: 415

Get the bike running first, fix the electrical. Make sure the tank doesn't leak. All the while keep your eyes on Craigslist and Ebay for a replacement tank. Did anything "fry" or did you just pop a fuse? Use Mud's and SC Longhair's threads on bar wiring to learn how it's done. Find the electrical short and fix it. [Do it yourself if you can. Yes you can.] Get estimates on tank dent fix and weigh those against the price of a replacement tank on the used market. Either get the tank fixed or get another.

When you finally get bars and tank sorted, treat yourself to some new paint.

Hope that helps.

Aug 15, 2012 | 05:41 AM

JRK5892

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From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)

agreed with above... get her running first... we can walk you right though all this BS, first off when you put the new bars on did you extend the wires or used the existing lenght of wire if it was long enough? did you internal wire the bars? if not, simple fix man you pinched the wires at the camps for the clutch/brake perch or in the switch housing themselves, loosen it up, tuck the wires nice and tight in the indents under the bars (dimples) and tighen it back up, no more short/ground = bike runs again... got pics of the dent? My shop can help with that as well if you want to send it out we can do everything in house... people always give me **** when i use 4 straps on each bike... but i do it for things like this, i learned from this same **** happening to me man with my first project bike...heard the old 2 straps are plenty bullshit and my dad even told me 4 straps better safe than sorry. my d ring pulled out and the bike went down.. granted it was a 73' honda but still sucked, now i use 4 no questions asked.

As also stated above there are a ton of write ups on bar wiring... if you have trouble shoot me a PM i am home on maternity leave and will be more than happy to answer any questions at all bud
congrads on the new scoot by the way!

Aug 22, 2012 | 03:01 PM

rudeboy3

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From: Flagstaff, AZ

Hey guys, thanks for the hope. To answer some of the questions, the electrical just popped a fuse, and it is because it is pinched. I looked on the stock bars and saw the dimpling and the T bars dont have it. I will have to run the wires inside it looks like(which I have no clue about anything electrical, and my local shop quoted 440 dollars without parts). I just have the stock wiring and cables with *are long enough* but I now that I have to run them internally, I just am not sure. I will look through the threads that were mentioned if I could find them.

Aug 22, 2012 | 03:36 PM

macnab_sf

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Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 804

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From: 415

If the T-bars are not dimpled, then they're drilled. (right?)

You need to disassemble the connectors at the end of the wires to allow you to thread the wires through the bars. Take pics or detailed notes so that you can get the right color wires in the right places when you re-assemble. I used a tiny jewelers (eyeglasses) screwdriver to help me get the plugs apart. it is tricky to get the wires to slide out of the plugs. You have to take your time and slide something skinny in where the metal cap at the end of each wire bites into the plastic housing.

Here are some pics from when I removed my apes. They might give you some idea of what to look for. Find those threads that have the detailed write-ups on how to get the plug housings apart. They will help.

Aug 22, 2012 | 03:52 PM

==ShaDoW==

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Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 548

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From: New Zealand

Nice post mcnab thats very helpful for that guy, well done,

Aug 24, 2012 | 02:33 AM

rudeboy3

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Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Flagstaff, AZ

Hey thanks a lot for that post, and ya they are drilled. I think I am gonna buy my buddy a few beers (who is an MMI graduate for Harley) and me and him will knock this out. Any recommendations for a cheap wire extension kit?