Wiring sizes

[royhall]

Morning All.

Am in need of rewiring the back end of the 350F from where the loom stops to the back light/indicators etc.

I have a good supplier for cable, and I have the colours from the wiring diagram.

The question is what size cable do I need, and should it be standard or thin wall.

Don't forget the wiring is exposed under the back mudguard on the 350/400 and not sleeved.

Many thanks.

[AshimotoK0]

I would think automotive thin walled 18AWG  1mm2 would be OK for that Roy. Like this stuff.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Automotive-Wire-0-35-1-5-mm-Thin-Wall-Cable-AWG16-22-Singlecore-5m-10m-lead-/251928261869?var=&hash=item3aa81834ed

You may even get away with 0.75mm2 like this. I will check tonight what the CSA is on those Honda lighting cables


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-Automotive-Wire-0-75-mm-Thin-Wall-Cable-AWG-19-20-single-core-FLRy-lead-/281366170935?var=&hash=item4182bb0d37

[mike the bike]

I use this company for all my wire, bullet connectors,  shring wrap etc.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/section.php/48/1/cables

[royhall]

Thanks guys.

Mike. That's the same supplier that I was going to use, got them from a recommend in Classic Bike. There prices look pretty good as I'm planning on buying 30m drums. Got an entire bike to rewire next project, so makes economic sense.

Ash. Have I read it correctly, it's 0.5mm thin wall your recommending?

Cheers Roy.

[AshimotoK0]

I just know it as thin walled automotive Roy. Just make sure the conductor CSA is = or  greater than 0.75mm²

I shopped around for yonks buying the wrong connectors etc. in the UK/Europe.

This is THE place for period correct Honda  bullets, multi-pin shells etc. Only a one man band and in the USA but boy has he done the research to find rare  Hitachi equivalent connectors etc and silver sleeving and glossy black sleeving. The guys on the sandcastonly forum use him and so do lots of people on the USA SOHC site. His prices are not bad either. If you can keep your order sub 15 quid you don't get stung for customs etc.

http://www.vintageconnections.com/

[Lobo]

Hi Roy,

First up, I am in major deference to Ash / Mike... their careers appear electrical... mine ain't! I just bumble along here.

But, my foray into Thin Walled Cabling has been disappointing, it is indeed thin, but alas was shiny, hard/ brittle almost..  and a pain to work with... eg I couldn't imagine a loom of it happily turning L/R day in / out about the steering head. I might be wrong...

The (2.0mm2 / 17.5A) standard cable ultimately got used.. & I'm happy. Certainly it appeared nearer OEM, and maybe too large for the lighting circuit. (the K2 has a single fuse (15A) which is why I chose the 2.0mm2 standard cable. The 400F has seperately fused head /rear light circuits at 7A each... and here you'd get away with the 1.0mm2 standard cable)

As for the bullet connectors - Ash is right, what a pain, the UK suppliers variously promised '70s' Honda's... but they were just too big. Both my 750K2 & '77 400F use 3.5mm Bullets - which I've only ever sourced from the 'states.

As mentioned, use my info / experience in caution when up against Ash. / Mike!

Simon

[AshimotoK0]

If you let me know the length / colours Roy I may have the odd bit from an old Honda loom I can give you.
There is probably something in what Simon is saying, I have usually used wire from old looms (OEM was Sumitomo .. Cute touch is my 750 K0 had Sumitomo 1969 printed on each coloured wire )

Ash

[royhall]

Think I may go for the standard wall 2mm cable, as the 350 only has one 15amp inline fuse fitted.

A bit overkill for lights etc but saves me buying more drums later. Plus the wiring is partly exposed under the mudguard as it runs through pre made partial trunking and is not sleeved, so thin wall made be a bit open to damage.

Also, I have some bullets that came off eBay for the 750 that fitted perfectly so may try them on the 350 first before I order any more.

Thanks for all the info guys.

[Lobo]

Can I suggest, if just doing the rear end you order the basic lengths you need of both Thin Walled stuff (15+ A) rating AND standard cabling - only because you mentioned rewiring other bikes and buying a 30m roll commits you somewhat.

I stand by a fabricated loom of Thin Wall may have little bending quality about it, and will be a pain to route around a frame.... but equally a loom of 2.0mm may be a little 'oversized'.... as 2.0mm appears a little thicker than the original wires. Like yourself / Ash, I only did minor wiring so on both my Honda's.....

All I'm suggesting is experiment before you commit to large quantities... you seem to have a perfect opportunity.

Simon

[royhall]

I agree with you Lobo, it is a perfect opportunity so have ordered 3m lengths of the standard 2mm cable first. If it looks a bit hefty will order some thin wall later. As it's only fused 15amp would rather be safe.

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[Saisei]

Use thin wall for bikes, thick wall is too inflexible.

[BigAl (Alan)]

I always use 'thin wall' its much more flexable

[royhall]

I agree thinwall is the way to go, but don't forget its for the rear of a 350F that runs unprotected through the underside of the back mudguard. Normal walled cable is a bit more resistant to damage from road debris etc, and it is not required to flex in that location. Wouldn't want to do a full harness with it though as it's way too thick.