Soldering vs Crimping

[cywelchjr]

Soldering must work just fine on bikes, I've seen them do it on American Chopper!

Gee, to me that proves the opposite knowing the track record those who have bought bike from those guys. Yes, some of those bikes look real cool, but I wouldn't want to own one to ride (there are a couple or three I'd like to have for the looks thought). And yes, I saw the eye roll, but I still felt that visceral need to state the obvious about the poor mechanical and electrical quality of those bikes. Yes they are great show pieces, but they are NOT running and riding bikes!

[bikerphil]

Soldering must work just fine on bikes, I've seen them do it on American Chopper!

[fredintoon]

- - - Every time I read about someone recommending/doing soldered wire connections on a bike or car I cringe. You'll hear guys say 'that's a better connection' - - -

Hi Steve,
thing is, most folks choice is between a carefully made soldered connection and the cheap nasty crimps and crimper they sell at the local parts store.

[CheckMark]

What I'm reading and my understanding for what it might be worth.

Annealing was a process used to soften copper. Corrosion (oxidation of metal) is what causes butt splicing and twisting wire's together to fail. Electrolysis along with oxidation (reaction of two dissimilar metals in close proximity) is what causes solder to fail over a given time. Copper melts at 1984 Fahrenheit. Eutectic 63 parts tin to 37 parts lead solder melts at 381 Fahrenheit. Best way to freshen up a dull gray joint is with a drop of rosin core liquid flux and a hot tinned solder iron tip. Crimping work hardens the metals involved.

[DGXSER]

If you think about what was there and lasted 30 years, what you have is just as good if not better without the shrinkwrap. I'd say that if you plan to update it with the stock connector when you get one, I'd not worry one bit about what you have there now. If not, then I'd use some good electrical tape or even the plasti-dip BikerPhil was showing.

[bikerphil]

Behind the fuse panel won't see too much moisture, but if you're worried about it, this product works well...

http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Dip-In.../dp/B00176FG0A

[dschmitta]

used butt connectors, bike is now charging

First of al, I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and knowledge to help me. I ended up using but connectors with a crazy looking crimping tool from the neighbor electrician. I had never seen one of these before, until checking out geezers pics.(Thanks). Started bike, idled at 12.4 upped RPM's and was showing 14.5 on meter. Seems like I may have fixed. Now, I did forget to put shrink wrap on before putting together wires. Should and can I slit shrink wrap and put over connections?, or not. I just really want to make sure no moisture gets to wires. I WILL be checking all other connections, loading them with dialectic grease to try and seal moisture. Is this a good idea, or should I try to do it someother way? Any info greatly apreciated. Thanks again

[3Phase]

Thanks Scott!

Y'welcome, Larry!

OT FWIW: I crimped and taped the wires for the horn and relay but I didn't solder grease and heatshrink the connectors. It's pretty mellow here in California and I don't need any greasy shrinks, tubular or otherwise.


Regards,

Scott

[crazy steve]

...Which brings me round to how come there in Yelm, you're not automatically a part of the conflict? Wha' sup with that?? Are you in the rain shadow of the Olympics?? I know you're on the "WET" side of the Cascades same as me. Not on the water but certainly near it. Tarzan in Spokane is on the DRY side: Just look at the brown wheat fields in July round that area. It's like he's surrounded by one of those giant dessicant/Gel packages or something....

I'm next to fresh water not salt! Being about 50 miles from the sound makes a lot of differerence, especially since it's all uphill. I do have a minor moisture issue though, as I have a river (the Deschutes) in my back yard. But salt water is about as bad as it gets...

'78E original owner

[Larrym]

Thanks Scott!

I couldn't recall that one either.

I do remember this one though, courtesy of JW Sanders:



Wait for it........We're almost there.

[3Phase]

Mike Godwin's Law

Whats that rule....

Godwin's Law.


Regards,

Scott

[Larrym]

End-Game and Diminishing Options

Yep. "Nazis or the War-to-end-all-Wars". That a sure-fire "tell" we're close to the end or jumping the shark here.

In other forums it's when people start quoting Oprah.

I do so miss a good ride when it's over.

[psycoreefer]

Whats that rule that says if any argument goes on long enough some one will make a comparison to Hitler/Nazi's? I figure at Genghis Khan we're only a few posts away.....

[Larrym]

My School Daze

Soldering to Genghis Khan...... Okaaay.... Would never have thought of that analogy.

Blame that one on my "Analytical Troubleshooting" instructor. He'd put forth the most amazing mechanical analogies or comparisons. Made us have to "THIMK" as he called it to understand the concepts he put forth.

Best teacher/class I ever had.

[b.walker5]

Soldering to Genghis Khan...... Okaaay.... Would never have thought of that analogy.