[Final_Cut_Fan]

Are there any specialized tools I need or a stand for the bike to swap the wiring harness??

 

[Spockster]

Are there any specialized tools I need or a stand for the bike to swap the wiring harness??

None. Screwdrivers and pliers should handle it.

Might not hurt to take some pictures just to keep track of the routing.

 

[O' Darkness]

Are there any specialized tools I need or a stand for the bike to swap the wiring harness??

None. Screwdrivers and pliers should handle it.

Might not hurt to take some pictures just to keep track of the routing.

I would like to offer a wonderful tip that I've been using for well over twenty years. (Mostly due to working in computers & networking.)

Painter's tape, a sharpie, and a notebook.

I would attach a little one-inch piece to the end of each wire, and fold it over. Instead of trying to write all the info on the tape, I would just label them 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B... you get the idea. Corresponding code goes in the notebook with a short description.

This proved to be a lifesaver when I replaced the wiring harness on my '94 Yamaha Virago.

 

[Spockster]

I would like to offer a wonderful tip that I've been using for well over twenty years. (Mostly due to working in computers & networking.)

Painter's tape, a sharpie, and a notebook.

I would attach a little one-inch piece to the end of each wire, and fold it over. Instead of trying to write all the info on the tape, I would just label them 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B... you get the idea. Corresponding code goes in the notebook with a short description.

This proved to be a lifesaver when I replaced the wiring harness on my '94 Yamaha Virago.

One thing I noticed, all the plugs will only fit in their corresponding plug. But it helps to know where a couple of them belong so it pulls the harness in the right direction. I had to pull the harness out of the rear to get the airbox out in one piece.

The bullet connectors will interchange, but you have wire color to go by.

Sometimes I use a Sharpie and put dots on connectors, one dot, two dots, etc.

 

[Knifemaker]

Yep, I’ve used tape and a sharpie too. And I take pictures. When removing engine covers I’ll draw the cover on a piece of cardboard with dots where the bolts go. Then punch a hole through each dot and put the bolts in the holes as I remove them. This is important if the bolts are different lengths 😉
I’ll also make an “exploded” drawing on things that have a specific order of assembly, like steering head parts.
On a wiring harness it doesn’t hurt to put the old one next to the new one on the floor to make sure all the connections match. Was given the wrong harness once for a Kawasaki H2 and found that out before I was halfway through installation👍