FX Wiring Options
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
FX Wiring Options
Hey all!
Got the mechanics of my '77 FX pretty well sorted, now to the wiring. It's pretty cobbled up and needs redone. Curious about everyone's thoughts who have been here and used the various options.
I see in my Jireh catalog "USA made" main harnesses for a very good price. I'd guess these are the Bruce Lindsey harnesses I see at other places. They also have the replacement handlebar wiring which I will need as well.
V-twin sells a "master kit" for my bike, and it appears to be the most complete kit I can find going the replacement harness route, it's a fair bit pricier though.
Lastly are the universal kits like Ultima and the Motogadget M-unit. I like the idea of a module to get rid of a lot of clutter, but obviously these are a fair bit more work than a replacement harness.
Who's used what and what did you think? The stuff in the Jireh book is by far the cheapest, but the main harness and handle bars are only some of what I need, what's in the headlight and goes to the gauges is probably the worst. V-twin stuff would probably be the easiest and most complete, but is decent enough quality? The M-unit looks really nice, but it will cost a fair bit for it and the required wiring and plugs to do it how I want, is it worth it? Ultima is better priced and more complete, but still a lot of work to do right.
Got the mechanics of my '77 FX pretty well sorted, now to the wiring. It's pretty cobbled up and needs redone. Curious about everyone's thoughts who have been here and used the various options.
I see in my Jireh catalog "USA made" main harnesses for a very good price. I'd guess these are the Bruce Lindsey harnesses I see at other places. They also have the replacement handlebar wiring which I will need as well.
V-twin sells a "master kit" for my bike, and it appears to be the most complete kit I can find going the replacement harness route, it's a fair bit pricier though.
Lastly are the universal kits like Ultima and the Motogadget M-unit. I like the idea of a module to get rid of a lot of clutter, but obviously these are a fair bit more work than a replacement harness.
Who's used what and what did you think? The stuff in the Jireh book is by far the cheapest, but the main harness and handle bars are only some of what I need, what's in the headlight and goes to the gauges is probably the worst. V-twin stuff would probably be the easiest and most complete, but is decent enough quality? The M-unit looks really nice, but it will cost a fair bit for it and the required wiring and plugs to do it how I want, is it worth it? Ultima is better priced and more complete, but still a lot of work to do right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Well.....I have a Motogadget m-Unit Blue sitting on my bench here and will be using it to rewire my 1980 FXWG fairly soon.
I also went with the "m-Button" accessory to simplify the bar wiring. All the switches at the bars run to the m-button (which will sit inside the bars), then it's simply a single wire from the bars to the m-Unit itself. Mine will be a little more complex as it will have bar end turn signals, so there will also be the hot wires for these. I will also run a dedicated ground wire up there as well as I don't want to rely on earthing through the front end itself.
As for the m-Unit itself, it's a great way to build a really simple wire harness for the whole bike. It's worth downloading their instruction pdf file and taking a look at how simple the wiring diagrams are. No relays or flasher units needed anywhere on the bike - and the m-Unit lets you program turn signal cancellation, flash type, rear brake flasher etc, etc...
The new "Blue" version also adds Bluetooth connectivity so you can diagnose electrical faults and program the bike directly from your smart phone. Kind of anathema to shovels, but very cool.
As another plus, it also has a buit in motion sensitive alarm system which will flash the signals and activate the horn if someone moves the bike.
The downside as you have noted is that is is pricey....
I also went with the "m-Button" accessory to simplify the bar wiring. All the switches at the bars run to the m-button (which will sit inside the bars), then it's simply a single wire from the bars to the m-Unit itself. Mine will be a little more complex as it will have bar end turn signals, so there will also be the hot wires for these. I will also run a dedicated ground wire up there as well as I don't want to rely on earthing through the front end itself.
As for the m-Unit itself, it's a great way to build a really simple wire harness for the whole bike. It's worth downloading their instruction pdf file and taking a look at how simple the wiring diagrams are. No relays or flasher units needed anywhere on the bike - and the m-Unit lets you program turn signal cancellation, flash type, rear brake flasher etc, etc...
The new "Blue" version also adds Bluetooth connectivity so you can diagnose electrical faults and program the bike directly from your smart phone. Kind of anathema to shovels, but very cool.
As another plus, it also has a buit in motion sensitive alarm system which will flash the signals and activate the horn if someone moves the bike.
The downside as you have noted is that is is pricey....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
I have installed several of the Ultima's...love the self canceling turn signals...piece of cake to install...every wire is labeled.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Thanks for the replies! ADM, I've been following your Shovel thread, you're going to have a really great bike when you're done. I would really like to do the M-unit, but at more than twice the price of the other options I'm just a little undecided... It is a brilliantly simple device. I really like how it's setup with just the inputs and outputs. As nice as the bluetooth one is, I think the standard one would suit me better. Look forward to seeing the progress of your project!
The Ultima stuff looks pretty good, and would work well for my setup, just a little more basic than the M-unit. Decisions, decisions!
The Ultima stuff looks pretty good, and would work well for my setup, just a little more basic than the M-unit. Decisions, decisions!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Originally Posted by Tee⋁16353853
Well that motogadget is pretty interesting and affordable too. How much would shipping be from the EU?
They also have some excellent youtube videos on the products as well.
I believe I used the Bruce Lindsey 'complete' harness. Easier than i expected considering it's my first harness replacement. I did need to purchase the headlamp connector separately. As a benefit i now have a much better understanding of how things are wired.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Thanks for the reply! What kind of bike was it on? I haven't been able to determine if the various "complete" OE style kits have all the stuff inside the headlight and the dash wiring on an FX/FXE/FXS or just the main, handlebar, and rear harnesses. The biggest disaster on my bike is inside the headlight and what goes to the dash.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Used replica wiring kits for my 65 and 49 pans. Got them from Hummeremporium. The kit for a buddy's 75 FLH was also listed as a replica kit and I found it on the flea. It included the handlebar wiring. He has the OEM electrical components on the bikes so it made more sense to try and use one as close to stock as possible. Worked out well.
And just an additional thought on wiring diagrams (whichever you choose). Take the diagram to a place that can enlarge it for you (went 2' x3' for the 75). Having done that get colored pencils and trace the lines in the appropriate color codes. Mount the diagram on the wall as close as possible to where you are wiring the bike. Your enlarged, correctly color-coded wiring diagram makes the wiring process that much less painless.
And just an additional thought on wiring diagrams (whichever you choose). Take the diagram to a place that can enlarge it for you (went 2' x3' for the 75). Having done that get colored pencils and trace the lines in the appropriate color codes. Mount the diagram on the wall as close as possible to where you are wiring the bike. Your enlarged, correctly color-coded wiring diagram makes the wiring process that much less painless.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post