quote:
1. I cant seem to get the left grip off
it appears to have some kind of blue sealant on it
do i have to just pry it off with out mangling the rubber?
is it usually just a pressure fitting?
2. since the wires run through the bars and need to be pulled out
I naturally have to disconnect them from inside the headlight
i already have the BIGGEST RATS NEST in there so this is a daunting task
( i am half tempted to take them off from the end of the controls but dont think thats a very good idea)
I have the diagram already but I am not sure how much thats really going to help.
if its really bad should I just get a new harness and start over?
Its like spaghetti and electrical tape on crack
Excellent advice to do one side at a time- thanks
3. Can I just drill holes in the new bars and still run the wires through?
4. there are 2 depressions on the throttle side of the old bars which I am assuming have some function for the throttle to center on or lever off of
can I grind 2 spots that are similar or would that be a nightmare to line up right?
should I get a different kind of throttle that may be straight and not need to rely on these 2 dimples?
1) When you buy new grips, the instructions say to glue the left one on so it doesn't slide around on you (they usually say glue the right one on to the throttle sleve too). It is normal to see al kinds of stuff holding grips tight. try to work it loose an inch at a time. if you can't get it (like the Previous owner put too much stuff on) you may have to cut your losses and buy a new grip set.
2) rats nests in headlights are a regular occurence, get used to that sight as you continue to work on bikes (most came from the factory that way). It really isn't that hard to straighten it all out and to work with it. The diagram is really to help you if you get lost in the wires or are trying to do custom shit. The most useful thing on that diagram is the wire colors which are kinda hard to read anyway, still it is better than nothing at all.
Go slow, and find the wires that match the colors of the ones coming out of your control switch. Disconect the first one and untangle it from the rats nest. this will help you clean it all up. mark the two wire ends with the masking tape and the sharpie (number them the first connection gets a 1 on both leads, the next a 2 and so on) just in case you get lost in the mess. By the end of the first control you will feel more confident about this and the headlight mess will look a lot cleaner. Remember, when in doubt check the colors, keeping things organized is why the factory made the wires different colors to begin with.
you should not see any electrical tape in your headlight unless you have a broken wire. if you do, then you need to inspect that wire and make sure the connection is good. if you have to resoldier the connection and use shrink tube instead of electrical tape, as it is cleaner.
3) the short answer is yes. The long answer is yes but on clubmans it is a pain in the arse and you need to make sure that the hole is not too big, the hole is deburred, the edges are rounded and you install a gromet. if you were talking about a superbike bend style bar i'd say no problem because a superbike bar has gentle bends and is pretty much a straight shot. clubmans have 90 degree turns and you won;t be able to get the wires to exit the center of the bar no matter what you do. I have a set of clubmans set up for a honda from the factory and the hole for the wires in and the hole for the wires out are an inch apart. since the bars are going to look like the wires are running external anyway you might as well save your self the trouble and just grind a little out of the control housing an run the wires outside. if you are really worried about water getting in there you can seal it with rtv sealer around the wires.
4)you say your cb has xl handlebars, so who is to say those depressions are for your bike? I don;t have much cb350 expirence, but honda does sometimes have a locating pin for the control. the 1979 SS requires you to drill a hole in the bars for it. that being said, I think that your best bet is yo just test fit and see if it moves, if it does then you need the depression, if not then you are good to go. chances are those dimples aren't even for your bike.
keep asking questions, that measn you are doing and doing is the only way you will learn.
Edit: I noticed that you are in NYC, if you want I can come over and walk you through this. I am in Queens and now that I am in the job market have nothing but time to kill.
Edited by - Geeto67 on Jan 23 2006 10:01:50 AM
