Oil Head Owners

[Bob_Roller]

I have heard over the past few years about problems with the wiring harness where it is secured to the steering head area .

More precisely, the harness is too tight, causing wires to break .

Well, I've developed an intermittent instrument internal lighting problem .

If I flex the harness at the steering head, I can duplicate it .

Now I need to find out which wire it is, as none of the wires are chaffed or physically broken .

So you oil head owners out there might want to look at this before any problems develop for you !!!!!

[Justin B.]

Oh, nice...  Is the issue being "tied" to the frame too tightly or not enough slack where stuff rotates?

[Bob_Roller]

It appears to be to tightly secured, the wiring sheath, like thin rubber hose over the wires is coming apart in this area .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Generally my electrical problems tend to be permanent and defy diagnosis.  To wit, the clock on my R1100S has never worked.  I've done trouble shooting a couple of times but unless I want to completely unwrap the entire steering hear harness I'll never know.  Oh well, it's just a clock.

[Bob_Roller]

Have you checked your fuses, should be a 7 amp brown fuse that powers the clock .

The clock is on the same circuit as the electrical accessory outlet .

I've melted a few fuses from disconnecting the electrical connector when I had the float charger on it .

Don't quite know what I do wrong on occasion when I pull the plug out, but it happens on occasion .

[DeeG]

Never had a problem on my 97 R850.  But its something to keep in mind when I start the tear down to replace the fork seals.  

[Bob_Roller]

This may be just a problem with later year  bikes .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Bob, at a tech day last year I completely removed the plastic and ran as thorough an electrical test as I could.  All fuses are good.  I did determine that there is probably a break in the wiring between the clock and the harness but that bundle is so big I decided it just wasn't worth it.  And like I implied before, why worry about what time it is when you're riding?  I do kind of wish I could find a good way to mount a gps on that bike but there is no good way to do it.  Besides, there are no wrong turns on a motorcycle. 8-)

[Bob_Roller]

The lights finally quit working last night .

I had the bike apart, with the fuel tank off for a battery change .

Cut all of the ty-wraps off of the wirng harness and opened up what little bit of rubber hose over the wiring was left .

Quickly found the broken wire, two minute repair .

Now I need to find some flexible 'conduit' to put over the wiring bundles .