XH Motorcycles Forum
Motorcycle Resource Forums => Technical Resource Discussion => Topic started by: franknsr on September 19, 2025, 06:56:45 PM
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Hey all, I'm working on a bike and found the casing dried and cracking on the rear harness, and now I am very curious about something. If anyone here has had this issue, can you post a pic up here?
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Here is one from FB....
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have heard conversation about this issue more often recently. I'll get my shoulder back in shape, I'll take a look at mine. I've heard stories of owners wiring insulation falling off as much as 10 years ago.
But others like mine with no issues.
I'd normally say its because it was stored inside or outside the elements. I don't believe it any more.
Frank I get a look at mine (soon) I'll let you know what I find.
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Thanks Bruce. I have a theory on harness issues but need more data to draw a conclusion, so let me know if you come across any brittle insulation.
It's like Deming said - without data I'm just another person with an opinion lol.
Cheers
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I found out that the insulation on the wires was only to last 15 years...could have lasted longer, but the people incharge
cheapend out on alot of issues...money was the key to have a better grade on the harnesses...don't forget, if it was in storage
or outside conditions...heat played a part traveling thru the wires to...shitty insulation...mice love it
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Bob....
interesting note about mice.
When we had 3 X's in our stable....
Our DWS was always in jeopardy of mice. They loved it. And it was a constant battle all winter to keep them out. My 99 black, had occasional mice. And our 00 blue never has. All 3 parked next to each other.
Mouse population here comes and goes. Some years so bad all the cars/trucks will have mice, with traps set off by the hour. Then other years, we won't see any.
My point being, it makes me wonder if the insulation thru the years on our X's may have changed?
I do have a question to everyone here. What do you use for mouse prevention. I've used boughten products, and home remedies. One year to the next, each will/will not work. When its a hi population year, I don't know of anything I've used that works.
Neighbor swears this product he used to use for his collection of cars, was used by the air force, and you lay down a parameter, which the mice won't cross. Of course he told me about this product, and I haven't been able to find it anywhere, including the place he bought it.
Here in the flatlands, mice are a constant battle...
Bruce
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Coming back to an older topic here because I'm working on another harness and I think it's interesting that only certain areas are affected, while the rest of the harness is fine. This weekends adventure brought me to the ground wire that goes between the 2 large connectors going to the ECU. A few heavier wires on each end are connected via one small diameter (maybe 20 ga) silver looking wire and the insulation is very brittle here but the other wires are fine. Now I have questions. ;-)
Anyone recognize this as silver, or is it tin.plated copper? Can I, or should I replace it with a piece of 12 ga copper wire?
(http://)
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you are correct that does look like tin or steel coating. Almost looks like what we called at the phone company..... armor or shielded.
I'd suspect with a big enough gauge copper it would work. But the armor/coating suggests to me that it sends a signal of sorts. Well, I wouldn't know where to get that type of wire, or how to splice it. I'd say give the copper a shot, as I'm ignorant and slo witted with such things, I'd do it in a second.
Its looks to be in a very busy place to get to. Hopefully the heavier copper works.
interesting.... keep us up to speed Frank
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Did some more digging and found out that "tinned" wire is used in automotive a marine applications where corrosion may be an issue. Ordered some and I'm going to spice a section into my old harness. Thought I'd share this info here in case someone else was wondering about this, and to possibly answer the question for some future DYIer.
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Thanx Frank....
At my age, its hard to remember you probably can find anything on the www. Cifu has done it many times on here.