TOPIC:

Hello All,
I previously posted about tips on dealing with 30 year old wiring and ways to clean the connectors and such. Didn't get the kind of responce I wanted which was: "That easy, just buy yourself some Brand X connector cleaner, it comes in 5 gallon buckets for $1.23, will last a lifetime and completely cleans these old connectors to brand new stock condition."
So, that got me to thinking that my real solution is simply (not easily) replace the wires and connectors and effectively rebuild the wiring system. I know connectors are available through our wonderful Z1 Enterprises. But, what about the wires? Anybody know a decent source for the wires themselves. The ones that have blue with orange stripes, black with white strips, etc.

Thanks,

Terry!

depending on what you plan on running on your bike there isnt but a handfull of wires required to actually make it work.i normally use basic colors and just buzz them out with my meter if im not sure where a wire is going;)

Plummen,
My bike is actually in pretty stock shape. Pretty much all of it's there and working. Although the electrons that travel through a wire don't really care what color the wire is, if I replace an orange with blue stripe wire I'd really like to use another orange with blue stripe wire. That way, 5 years from now when I (or somebody else who has pried my bike from my cold dead hands)is trying to figure something out and reffering to the original wiring diagram, an element of confusion is not added by having the incorrect colored wires running all over. I haven't commited to it just yet. But, my thinking is that if I can get the raw materials needed, there's no reason why I can't (or shouldn't) rebuild the wiring system with all new wires, connectors and the like. I don't expect to find any NOS wire harnesses. So, I'll just make them!!

Terry!

PS. I have handled much more difficult wiring projects in my distant past while an electronics technician in the Air Force working on antenna pedestal systems and controls.

If interested, Z1E carries wiring harness sets for Z1 models.

Z1 Wiring Harness

Ya,that WOULD be nice,to find a source for factory colour-coded wire,for these bikes...would save a lot of headaches,that's for sure.

I just googled around,but found nothing...anyone else?

ok then,maybe try a street rod magazine.i know there are places in street rod industry like ron francis that sell complete wiring kits for cars,im sure they probably sell individual parts

Yabut...would they have the "KZ" colours?

im sure if they dont they can point you in the right direction.most of the wiring kits they sell are actually labled all the way down the wire with where they go to,cant get much easier than a wire with its location stamped in purty letters

They have wire in Radio Shack..

'Automototive hookup wire' (12ga.) and other spools of smaller sizes.

Hey All,
Just for your info. I've started researching this. I found a couple of places that look like I could get the right wires needed with the insulator colors needed. Only problem starts to be cost. At one place I looked (Wiseco I think), the cheapest I found (so far) would be $17.00 for a 100' spool (minimum length you can buy) and it would cost an additional $15.00 to have the strip added. So, my infamous Blue wire with an orange stripe would cost $32.00 plus shipping for 100', or 32 cents a foot. Which isn't too bad when you look at it that way. However, overall cost tentativly looks prohibative for me. I'm going to be doing some more research.
Maybe I'll just invest too much money and start making new old KZ wiring harnesses. Wonder if there would be enough of a market. Rough guess, a new main wiring harness would end up being over $100 worth of material, not to mention labor.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input. I'll post any significant updates in my quest to 'rewire' my motorcycle.

Terry!

Six9GS, in relation to your previous post, I took an old point file I had and ground it down to fit into the female connector. I had to grind both edges and 1 side to get it to slide in, but it seems to clean up the connections well. Just flip it over to do the 'back' side of the connector.

Most larger cities have several places that specialise in Auto Restoration Electrics . I've found these to have available pretty well any type of wire needed in any specialised colour coding. But , generally , I buy the wire for Jap electrical harnesses from my local washing machine repairer . For any bike over 10 years old it's the right size , well priced and they sell by the meter . Just means that I have to hand draw a new addition to the harness in the back of the service manual and show the new clours accordingly.