Electrics need not be daunting – a few choice tools and some logical thinking will get you through.
If motorcycle wiring scares you witless, then you can take some comfort from the fact that you’re not the only one.
For many owners, bike electrics seem a black art form but they don’t need to be – in fact, given the right kit it’s actually hugely rewarding to sort out your bike’s electrical poltergeists.
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What you need
First on the list of must-haves is a multimeter. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, but get one that has a readout and not simply lights, so you can see how much current or voltage you are getting somewhere.
The cheapest start from under £5, a £10 unit will get you well on your way and £25 will get you everything you’ll ever need and more.
In fact, the more expensive ones can make the whole job seem trickier than it is! Check out YouTube for tutorials as a rough guide on how to use and fault-find.
Invest in some proper connectors in the format that best suits your bike.
Avoid those nasty pre-insulated types sold by car spares shops and buy from the likes of Vehicle Wiring Products, who are the default for many classic vehicle fans.
Read more and view more images in the July 2019 issue of CBG – on sale now!
