Wiring Loom/Harness

Hi All,

I've been an habitual reader here for some time and the wealth of knowledge has kept my XJ900 on the road a long time.

But a change of circumstances and a long backed up desire to renew/refurbish my XJ means I now have the time to do all those little jobs that I've put off for far too long. Which is another way of saying I've got one big job ahead of me...

My XJ900 has been totally stripped down to the frame (and wheels). Engine is out and has been soda blasted clean ready for me to plunge in and changeover the starter clutch.

I've just removed the wiring harness from the frame and needless to say there is a load of muck all over everything including the connections.

I know I need to go over each connection and clean thoroughly but can anyone recommend what to do for a general clean first up. Like spray all the grime with a cleaner and then wipe off. I did think of using degreaser and then a gentle spray of water and then drying and cleaning each connection but that may be a little harsh and excessive.

The reborn XJ will be a stripped down Cafe Racer...I hope. Well, that's the plan!

Thanks in advance...

 

Spray the entire harness with Gunk Engine Degreaser.
IF the connections are very corroded... and the brass is dark,,, you can clean them with cheap "oven cleaner spray" and a tooth brush (use eye protection) from the dollar store.
Then throw the harness in a 5-gallon bucket of hot soapy water (use laundry soap).
You won't hurt anything....
Blow everything dry with compressed air.

 

Thanks.

Most of that was the way I was thinking of going but the dunking in warm soapy water wasn't considered but will give it some thought as I go through the cleaning process.

Cheers!

 

The hot water will evaporate quickly, especially if you put it out in the sun to dry. Cold water takes longer to dry out.

Don't believe me? Ever notice its easier to dry dishes that were washed in hot water vs. washed in cold water?

Dave Fox

 

Did a test run on the plug end of the 3 wires coming from the stator. Worked like a charm. Final rinse in hot water and out in the sun.

Dry. Clean. ready for reassembly once I get some sleeving for the wires. The old sleeving was petrified (no...not scared...) and brittle and had to go.

Only eleventy eleven wires/connectors etc. to go...

 

Try tomato ketchup for corroded connecters. It eats the corrosion and cleans thing up generally, and has the right consistency to stay where it is put. Just leave it on for an hour or so. Afterwards, wipe off, then rinse with WD40. Of course, it doesn't harm your skin.

 

Tomato ketchup...

Haven't heard of that being used before. Guess I can get a bottle and use it on some BBQ'd sausages while I'm waiting for the corrosion to be eaten away.

Can't do THAT with WD40...

 

Nah, you can't. WD40 makes everything taste of wax. Don't ask how I know....

 

Ketchup has quite a bit of vinegar in it, but like greenbike mentioned, it stays put. Vinegar is pretty good at cleaning up rust so why not?