HarleyTechTalk

Quote from: Billy on December 07, 2018, 06:57:00 AM
I think every wire on our HDs are terminated with a crimped on pin or pin socket. Solder for me is the second option.

Solder isn't an option on HDs unless the wire is floating (i.e. inside extended handlebar looms). Not many places on a HD don't vibrate...

Well, I haven't had any issues with soldered joints on my shovel in all these years 'n miles ..... It vibrates a bit 

Quote from: fbn ent on December 07, 2018, 01:38:24 PM
Well, I haven't had any issues with soldered joints on my shovel in all these years 'n miles ..... It vibrates a bit 

Touché 

In '73 I did a HRHS (High Reliability Hand Soldering) Course with NASA, 21 of us started, 7 of us finished/passed the course.

That training has done me well over the years, these days the eyesight is letting me down as it does all of us.   

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a properly soldered joint, just that in most cases for me it is quicker and easier to crimp a connection.

Quote from: Maddo Snr on December 07, 2018, 01:34:56 PM

Quote from: Billy on December 07, 2018, 06:57:00 AM
I think every wire on our HDs are terminated with a crimped on pin or pin socket. Solder for me is the second option.

Solder isn't an option on HDs unless the wire is floating (i.e. inside extended handlebar looms). Not many places on a HD don't vibrate...

I've done both kinds of connections for handlebar extensions, soldering and the pin connectors with Nams extending kits. The problem with the pin connectors is that it's hard to stagger the connectors to fish thru the bars. I also crimp the pin connectors slightly to prevent them from pulling apart.
In all the sets I've done over the years (I keep telling myself no more), I've not had a failure yet. I must be doing something right with the solder. As I said, my wife has mad soldering skills and taught me.

current controls are soldered, a proper solder joint is no problem on our bikes but do agree a crimped connection is better. Currently prepping a controls swap on my bike right now going to go with a crimped connection this time. Using the tails off some .093 pin connectors. The finish is not much larger than the wire with heat shrink.

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Any of you guys ever see the type of connection on the bottom wire? It looks to be a factory mechanical crimp wire to wire. Has like a weave knurled finish on the crimped side.   

I appears to be a hot compression joint.  Copper gets real malleable when heated and it can be blended under pressure.

whatever it is would love to have the tool that does it .

When i do it I use "western union" splice. No solder but once heat shrunk you can't pull it apart. Keeps the size down.

The western union can have a sweated on tinning of solder and it doesn't make it any fatter.   Best of all for butt joints. 👍🏻

Remember Samual?  He was steadfast against solder connections when a crimp connection serves the mechanic better.  For a variety of reasons.

PC