38
MAINTENANCE TIP
AUGUST 2022
By Tony Gray, Member #3905 Wiring Connector....
I
was working on the R1100 and needed to feed the handlebar switch-gear wiring down the inside of the bar so I could remove the switches prior to stripping and repainting the handlebars. Unfortunately the plastic socket blocks were too big to fit down the bars.
I could have cut them off and then refitted new spade connectors when reinstalling but chose this method instead: This type of connector was very common on older Japanese bikes that I owned (still have one) and the spade bits can be carefully removed from the plastic block in one of two ways in my experience. In this case I was able to push the spade bit from the rear of the block until it was fully clear at the front. Fine jawed pliers were required. Once clear of the block a ‘folding’ tang will be exposed. This tang is what locks the spade bit into the block. Using a small flat blade screwdriver fold the tang back down flat with the face of the bit. Now using your pliers push the spade bit back down the casing and out the rear of the block.
