Cleaning a wiring loom

[winchman]

Just made a start on reassembling the Honda XL125 I bought to match Winchboys.
( Whilst viewing his bike he asks " Have you any spare parts?" Yes full slightly older bike in the shed!)
The wiring looms very grubby how am I best cleaning it?
I dont suppose any one has access to take some photos of a 1983 round head light drum brake model? Just cant fathom out some of the cable runs, Winchboys is two years newer and many bits are different?

 

[grim_d]

I would start with electrical cleaner or IPA.

Not knowing what the insulation is made of would make me wary of using any aggressive solvents.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I put a dirty wiring harness off a Range Rover through a gentle cycle of washing machine to get it clean !

 

[rtbcomp]

^^ put it a cloth bag to stop the ends getting trapped round the edge of the drum.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I put a dirty wiring harness off a Range Rover through a gentle cycle of washing machine to get it clean !

But was it OK afterwards?

 

[rtcosic]

I've done the loom in a pillow case on a 30 deg wash as well - more than once.

Caused no damage - not even to the washing machine.

Haven't tried tumble drying one - yet.

Edit for clarity - these were modern looms with polymer insulation and synthetic braiding (1960's onwards). I haven't tried that on older natural rubber insulated and cotton braided ones. Those I have worked with all fell apart in my hand anyway!

 

[zx9]

Just for clarity the round head lamp one with twin shocks is the XLR125S and Winchboy's square headlight one is the XL125R with the prolink mono shock.
I might somewhere have a workshop manual for the XL125S, it was my first bike some time around 1986.

 

[winchman]

Just for clarity the round head lamp one with twin shocks is the XLR125S and Winchboy's square headlight one is the XL125R with the prolink mono shock.
I might somewhere have a workshop manual for the XL125S, it was my first bike some time around 1986. View attachment 158589

Nice bike and photo
Winchboys is indeed the 125R but mine is a 125RC virtually the same Monoshock bike but with round head light, round clocks, different electrics and drum brakes so confusing for bits etc.
Looms plastic I didn't think it would stand up to washing?

 

[zx9]

Nice bike and photo
Winchboys is indeed the 125R but mine is a 125RC virtually the same Monoshock bike but with round head light, round clocks, different electrics and drum brakes so confusing for bits etc.
Looms plastic I didn't think it would stand up to washing?

Cool, I did not know that the RC existed, my excuse is that I got into Kawasakis after the Honda.

 

[cheb]

Can't help with the loom routing, but you might like this:

https://sites.google.com/site/vpcrabtree/home/xr200

I had an XL185S until last year. RHS sidepanels are unobtainable and the shock gets your leg every time you kick it over unless you are careful

 

[gaz_moose]

bucket of soapy water and a scrubbing brush. then put new insulation tape over the ends.

 

[graffian]

I used to do the soapy water type cleaning.
I saw a very clean harness and was told it had been though
the ultrasonic cleaner where the bloke worked, it really did look like new.

 

[Wallace]

I think the C in XL125RC denotes year of manufacture being 1982.

 

[thinfourth]

I've done the loom in a pillow case on a 30 deg wash as well - more than once.

Caused no damage - not even to the washing machine.

Haven't tried tumble drying one - yet.

Edit for clarity - these were modern looms with polymer insulation and synthetic braiding (1960's onwards). I haven't tried that on older natural rubber insulated and cotton braided ones. Those I have worked with all fell apart in my hand anyway!

I take it was removed from the car first?

 

[Olderisbetter]

My mate has done a few in the dishwasher while the wife was out...

 

[winchman]

Can't help with the loom routing, but you might like this:

https://sites.google.com/site/vpcrabtree/home/xr200

I had an XL185S until last year. RHS sidepanels are unobtainable and the shock gets your leg every time you kick it over unless you are careful

Thank will have a good read

 

[Wallace]

The Honda workshop manuals have cable routings.

 

[winchman]

The Honda workshop manuals have cable routings.

Thanks I wonder how much one would be?

 

[Wallace]

They were never cheap but invaluable if you are the only one working on the machine. Keep an eye on Ebay?