Ferreting around for words of wisdom
“YOU CAN’T DESIGN a custom loom until the bike is completely built with everything where it should be; then you build the loom around it,” explains Ferret. “Classics are similar, because any modifications like electronic ignition or 12v conversions aren’t accommodated by a standard harness.
“Making the loom is the quickest bit; the time usually goes in getting all the subassemblies working properly and improving cheaply-made components – fitting decent connectors and adding earth wires. A motorcycle frame is not a piece of wire; why expect current to crawl back to the battery through bits of steel tube, nuts and bolts, grease, paint and rust? Simply fitting a new loom is only half the job – you’re just joining a lot of problems together.
“Wiring classics means striking a balance between slavishly copying the original and making practical improvements. I stick to original colour codes because it looks right and, even if the loom is non-standard, still relates to the original wiring diagram. I carry around 170 different wire colours, some I’ve had specially made; 16amp cable is fine for most of a harness with 25amp for major circuits. Thin-wall cable looks thinner than original, but actually has more copper while leaving more room when space is tight.
“Six-volt is unfairly blamed for poor lights, but it’s often cheaper to improve a 6v system than convert to 12v – you don’t have to replace bulbs and components or find room for a bigger battery, either.”
As for Lewis, Covid restrictions delayed things but he’s just passed his Compulsory Basic Training. “Funny,” he says. “Obviously I’ve only ridden the Excelsior up and down outside home, but it seemed much easier to ride than the modern bike at the training centre; the instructor had never heard of an Excelsior Universal!”
Big thanks to Ferret. Now Lewis needs to register it, fit L-plates and get on the road.
‘FITTING A NEW LOOM IS ONLY HALF THE JOB’