Hi all

I have a new (to me) loom that I would like to swap on my NC 35 at some point. I was wondering is it difficult? are there any DOs and DONTs? Any advice on which side I should start?

Cheers

S

As I have inadvertently discovered, you won't be able to completely swap the looms without either dropping or lowering the motor to gain clearance on the right hand side between the frame and motor near the area where the engine number is stamped. There is only about 3/4"-1" worth of clearance here and the larger electrical connectors on either end don't fit through here. I noticed the other night before going out of town that I screwed up and passed the loom THROUGH the area where the thermostat is located and it should have gone along the outside instead. I tried for hours to pull the loom through and switch and it won't come through. I'm going to try and remove the front engine mounts and rear upper mount, and loosen the lower rear mount and see of I can't pivot the motor down and forward to give me the necessary clearance. Everything was going so smoothly on the rebuild until this point. Argh. I took hundreds of digi pics during the break down of the bike, but I thought "Oh, I remember how it all goes." Bollocks! (as you guys like to say)

OK, EDIT! Disregard all the rubbish above. Upon having gone back and ACTUALLY looked at my pics I took the loom goes slightly forward of this area vertically and there appears to be adequate clearance. It goes just forward of the hose clamp in the pic with the phillips head screwdriver touching it. However, it looks like it would be easier if the carbs, T-stat housing, and hoses were removed. I'll try to sort it out tonight and I'm quite relieved to not have to mess with the motor.

When I replaced mine I didn't remove or lower the motor to get the loom passed the thermostat, but I did remove the hose connected to it; you just about get enough space then!
It's a bit fiddly and requires some patience to get it all fed through; which end to start on shouldn't matter, though getting it through that tight spot first might be best.
Do clean the Earth points and do get them nice & tight, then grease them up.
Don't connect any wires the wrong way.

Pfff, that's a relief!! I've just had a look actually and yes I thought by either removing the hose only or the hose + thermostat housing there should be enough clearance.

now is time to take lots of pictures and get my head clear before attempting anything!

Wish me luck for tomorrow

actually one last question (for now!) how did you manage with the fuse box? did you take the subframe off or something?

syborg wrote:actually one last question (for now!) how did you manage with the fuse box? did you take the subframe off or something?

No, just loosen up and drop the undertray slightly. Two bolts on the back and two on either side in the front. All 10mm bolts.

Replacing the loom is a pretty painful job, certainly was for me.

You don't need to drop the engine, but it's close. It's probably one of the first things that gets put on the chassis at the factory, so you can imagine how difficult it is with all of the bike assembled.

At the least it's carbs off, battery out, undertray unbolted (easier if removed).

Stickshift wrote:It's probably one of the first things that gets put on the chassis at the factory, so you can imagine how difficult it is with all of the bike assembled.

Which is why I installed the loom FIRST,..............................INCORRECTLY!

Lots of patience needed Sylvie, and having photos to use as a reference is useful also, take plenty before you take the old one out.

What are you doing with the old loom? If you're willing to cut it up, I'll take the CDI plug off you. Email me if interested.

Stickshift wrote:Lots of patience needed Sylvie,

patience, I don't have any! it sounds like I'm going to have lot of fun. Altough it doesn't look too hard, but it never does. I've got a trackday booked for next Monday so at least the motivation is there. Just remembered I'm out tomorrow so it will have to wait Wednesday.

Haven't thought about the old loom tbh, I'll see how it goes and let you know.