How long does a harness last?
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
How long does a harness last?
The last few times I had to splice into my harness I found some corrosion on the wire.
It got me to wondering how long a wiring harness can go before it has to be replaced.
Anybody know?
It got me to wondering how long a wiring harness can go before it has to be replaced.
Anybody know?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
The harness on my '77 Superglide lasted 'till about 1980 or 81,when I pulled it all off,threw it in the garbage and rewired the bike.Real simple when there was just points ignition,charging system,headlight and taillight,and brakelight.
My '61 Studebaker still has it's original wiring,well 98% of it.
My '61 Studebaker still has it's original wiring,well 98% of it.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I used to build catv systems and I know the cable for that is rated at 27 years.
I don't know what the wires in the harness are rated for.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
The harness on my '77 Superglide lasted 'till about 1980 or 81,when I pulled it all off,threw it in the garbage and rewired the bike.Real simple when there was just points ignition,charging system,headlight and taillight,and brakelight.
My '61 Studebaker still has it's original wiring,well 98% of it.
My '61 Studebaker still has it's original wiring,well 98% of it.
I damn sure don't have the correct wires for it.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I don't think there is any such thing, for a wide variety of reasons. My new 1974 FX started giving problems when only a couple of years old, due to the wiring being of marginal length IMHO. My 1977 BMW. also bought new, started giving trouble after 8-9 years, due mainly to flexing of the handlebar harnesses. My 1990 Glide, bought new, is still on it's original harness, although it has been adapted quite a bit.
As for rewiring a bike, there are a couple of products I have come across that help to make it easy. They both use a central magic box, inside which reside all the basic functions a bike needs and into which one simply connects wiring for each switch/function. I have even considered using one myself and an occasional HDF Evo member has already done so.
As for rewiring a bike, there are a couple of products I have come across that help to make it easy. They both use a central magic box, inside which reside all the basic functions a bike needs and into which one simply connects wiring for each switch/function. I have even considered using one myself and an occasional HDF Evo member has already done so.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
As for rewiring a bike, there are a couple of products I have come across that help to make it easy. They both use a central magic box, inside which reside all the basic functions a bike needs and into which one simply connects wiring for each switch/function. I have even considered using one myself and an occasional HDF Evo member has already done so.
Thunderheart is one of these, marvellous piece of (expensive) kit.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
In the 70's and early 80's Harley started using quick connects with no moisture protection, the bikes were fire hazards right out of the box...a more modern bike with waterproof connectors, the wiring will outlast the bike if not butchered.