While the scooter is being painted there are five jobs that you can (and should) be doing:
- Clean the wiring loom with degreaser and inspect it: Usually, after all these years the outer sheath will become brittle and have bits broken off it.
- Fixing the sheath: Don’t ignore this, as the sheath prevents the inner wires from being damaged! To fix this, I slip a piece of heat shrink tube over the area that is stuffed. Heat shrink tube is available from Dick Smith type shops and electrician suppliers and comes in lots of pretty colours except grey.
- If you need to join a broken wire, don’t twist them together and wrap electrical tape around it! You should solder the two ends and slip some heat shrink over the joint.
- Electrical tape is good for an emergency but petrol and oil will dissolve the sticky stuff.
- To soften the wiring loom for reinstallation, I liberally spray it with Armorall (Although don’t use this stuff on your seat!) then stick it in a dark green plastic bag and leave it in the sun for the day. This leaves it nice and pliable for bending.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
i am thinking of buyinh a bajaj classic with avespa front, but ive been told its needs a re-wire, is it a big job and can you get a wiring loom from bajaj to vespa.
cheers
I have just completed a nut and bolt restoration of a 1964 Vespa GS mk2 imported from Italy to the UK 18 months ago. It is now as it left the factory complete with all 3 types of key in working locks , correct siem electricals , perfect original siem rear light, rebuilt original engine,6v electrics, wheels tyres brakes cables etc etc. i would like to get an idea of value before i use it on the road as i may just decide to sell and start again as now its just too nice to use. Can anyone advise on a price for a completely restored GS mk2 with 1.1 miles on the restored clock. it cost in excess of £6k to do so far…
Wire loom can be a pain in the ass or it can be your best friend. I also have a post on my blog about wire loom and the many uses for it. I’m a hobbyist so I use wire loom all the time and it’s surprisingly versatile.