Internally wiring bars, to hell with it
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 126
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From: Northern VA
Internally wiring bars, to hell with it
Picked up a set of Biltwell Friscos from a forum member, mocked them up, and measured the wiring needed. Had to extend both sides by about 4inches. Stagger cut the wires, soldered in extensions, and started to try running them internal.
Fast forward to this afternoon..tried running single wires, was able to get three through, tried to bundle in sets of two, got two bundles and that's it.
Hit a wall and ready to say f#*k it and just solder the pins back on and run them external.
How did you guys do it? I've even used dish soap to lube the wires, patience is gone and I'm missing out on riding time.
/rant off
Fast forward to this afternoon..tried running single wires, was able to get three through, tried to bundle in sets of two, got two bundles and that's it.
Hit a wall and ready to say f#*k it and just solder the pins back on and run them external.
How did you guys do it? I've even used dish soap to lube the wires, patience is gone and I'm missing out on riding time.
/rant off
have you taken any pictures of entry/exit holes in the bars? holes just might not be big enough. kinda hard to tell without being there. I know when I did mine I tried to make the holes just big enough to pass the wires through so in turn it was a pretty tight fit. are the wires shrink wrapped or exposed?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I ran a piece of bailing wire through the bars first...since it's stiffer than the electrical wires it's easier to get through the bars. Once that's through I wrapped it around the end of the wires I was trying to feed through and then wrapped a bit of tape around the end of the bailing wire and other wires to keep them together. Then I just gently pushed the wires into the bar from one end while pulling on the bailing wire at the other. I did it when I installed my black turn signals on my Dyna so I was running it through the black mesh they wrap their wires in...talk about a pain. Unless you have some sharp angles in your bars (like Z-bars) I think this trick might make things easier on you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 8
From: O'Fallon, IL
I used chain....you'll see it in the video. I thought it was crazy at first but it made it really easy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuAaI...eature=related He has a bunch of videos relating to installing apes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I used chain....you'll see it in the video. I thought it was crazy at first but it made it really easy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuAaI...eature=related He has a bunch of videos relating to installing apes.
I used air to blow a long shoe string through then crimped one wire to that shoe string & stagger taped the rest to the wire.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 126
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From: Northern VA
have you taken any pictures of entry/exit holes in the bars? holes just might not be big enough. kinda hard to tell without being there. I know when I did mine I tried to make the holes just big enough to pass the wires through so in turn it was a pretty tight fit. are the wires shrink wrapped or exposed?
The entry/exit holes are plenty big, they were drilled by the previous owner and he had them wired internally. When I tried them one at a time they were exposed, when I tried them bundled they were wrapped in electrical tape.
Once I get to the Right angle at the bottom I'm having an issues with the fishing line slipping off the wires even though I have it wrapped and taped to the wires. Think I need something more substancial than the line, maybe a braided line or chain will work better.
Thanks for all the replies, I knew this was going to be a pain when I started it I just didn't think it'd take this long and be this frustrating. Doesn't help this is the first time I've attempted to run the wires internally, will be the last time too unless the bars have less sharp angles.
Thanks for letting me vent some guys, sorry for sounding like such a b!tch...just needed to relieve some of the stress.
Gonna give it a few more tries and then I'm just going to have it wired externally until I'm ready to give it another go, can't stand being down and missing out on this nice weather we're having.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 215
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From: Las Vegas
I had same issues I was about time give up.. I used a shoe lace.. all wires at the same time.. the hardest is that last 90° just be patient. It took me couple days few hour session so I wouldn't start breaking ****
