shrink tubing

[oldyam80sg]

I haven't been on here in a while-bike has been running good. We got hammered here in NJ with the snow and work has been keeping me busy. The bike has been stone reliable-only had to charge the battery once this year. Let it sit on the battery tender and some fresh gas and bike started. While looking at the bike I don't like the wire that connects to the oil pressure sending unit. It has aplastic covering on it but has seen better days. I was thinking of taking shrink tubing and covering up a good portion of the wire. Is shrink tubing the way to go? Pretty reliable in covering up the wire.

[motoman]

It'll work great................trick is to figure out how to slip a piece on there without cutting the wire.

[oldyam80sg]

I disconnected the wire at the place behind the side cover. I should be able to get a piece of shrink tubing(maybe 3/32 or slightly bigger) and slide it over the wire and shrink it. I don't need to cover the whole wire but want to cover it as much as possible.

[Schming]

Either heat shrink tubing or small wire loom might be easier.

[BA80]

Just build a new wire.

[Jerry]

I was always frustrated with shrink tubing so went out and bought a good heat gun, a DeWalt D26960. Having the right tools is priceless.

Have had this for a few years now and have used it on ATV winch cable ends, replacing rear view mirror on the Scout II, and many other occasions. I now keep a good assortment of shrink tubing in different sizes and colors on hand.

You can also get shrink in a wrap-on form similar to electrical tape. I've not tried this yet but will pick up a roll some time and give it a go.

[Newbee]

Liquid tape

http://www.amazon.ca/Gardner-Bender-...6EGER17MQJYVWM

[natemoen]

http://www.amazon.ca/Gardner-Bender-...6EGER17MQJYVWM

That would just turn into a gooy sticky mess over time.

[clcorbin]

Two other shrink tubing tips:

1) Try to find some 3:1 shrink ratio tubing. Most of the stuff found in automotive stores, hardware stores, etc is only 2:1. The 3:1 allows you to use larger tubing to fit over stuff and still have it shrink down nice and snug.

2) Adhesive lined tubing is very nice for exposed (pretty much ANYTHING on a motorcycle) application. The heat melting adhesive seals the joint up when you shrink it and keeps moisture out.

This stuff is easy to find online these days and is worth the price premium. Yes. It does cost more. But it is also worth it.

[Yahman]

Two other shrink tubing tips:

1) Try to find some 3:1 shrink ratio tubing. Most of the stuff found in automotive stores, hardware stores, etc is only 2:1. The 3:1 allows you to use larger tubing to fit over stuff and still have it shrink down nice and snug.

2) Adhesive lined tubing is very nice for exposed (pretty much ANYTHING on a motorcycle) application. The heat melting adhesive seals the joint up when you shrink it and keeps moisture out.

This stuff is easy to find online these days and is worth the price premium. Yes. It does cost more. But it is also worth it.

I find this stuff at the local electronics supply store, you could probably find it at an electrical supply store. I like to use the heavy duty with adhesive type to cover my plug wires with. It gives the old wires some extra insulation (helps with wet plug wire issues) and adds extra support to the wires. Use a heat gun and hold them in the shape you want (note: install plug wires before heating), they will stay that way once they cool a little.

ride safe,
Larry

[motoman]

Having an assortment of the heavy duty shrink tubing with the inner sealer, was wanting something a bit lighter duty that still had the inner sealer. Surprisingly, I found it in the marine- grade, all black and assorted sizes, contained in a plastic snap-shut box at HarborFreight locally. Worked well for the replacement lugs I had installed on wiring that attaches to the two RV batteries in the fifth-wheel trailer.

[oldyam80sg]

Home Depot had a Wagner 1200 watt heat gun and a roll of shrink tubing for under $30.00. I cut a piece of tubing and in 10 minutes had a nice cover for my oil sensor wire. Took the bike for a quiet 30 mile ride around town-1st ride this year. It amazes me how good this bike is running compared to my ZRX 1100.That is a whole different issue.