Wassell wiring looms - any good?

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I have an inkling to get a replacement wiring loom, then to remove all of the extraneous wires that go nowhere to tidy things up a bit. I’d then recover it with loom tape.

are the Wassell ones any good? I realise there are a few wiring diagram issues, but otherwise are they well made? They’re not too expensive.

if not then I can quite easily make a whole new one from scratch, but this may make the process a bit quicker.
 
TMS Motorcycles of Nottingham stock the best harnesses, made by Autosparks, only time I have not used them was when I needed one quickly and some other Commando spares to meet the IOM ferry so bought one from Andover Norton. Within a week I got an intermittent power issue which I tracked down to a badly assembled fuse holder, modern blade fuse replacement holder was fitted and it has worked since but will be going back to TMS. I first used them in early 80's on a B44 Shooting Star, fitted it with silicon grease on all joints and despite being left out in the rain its still working fine all these years later.
 
Landspeedracer said:
I have an inkling to get a replacement wiring loom, then to remove all of the extraneous wires that go nowhere to tidy things up a bit. I’d then recover it with loom tape.

are the Wassell ones any good? I realise there are a few wiring diagram issues, but otherwise are they well made? They’re not too expensive.

if not then I can quite easily make a whole new one from scratch, but this may make the process a bit quicker.
Click to expand...

Are you just price shopping or looking for the best one?
 
The best one would be one I’ve made myself to be honest. But to do so I’d really need to strip mine off the bike, unwrap it on a frame and then copy it. If Wassells is a good one to use then I can just short cut it all and keep my bike on the road. there is a price advantage with Wassell as I’d buy it through a friend’s trade account.
 
Landspeedracer said:
The best one would be one I’ve made myself to be honest. But to do so I’d really need to strip mine off the bike, unwrap it on a frame and then copy it. If Wassells is a good one to use then I can just short cut it all and keep my bike on the road. there is a price advantage with Wassell as I’d buy it through a friend’s trade account.
Click to expand...

There you go. Since you will taking it apart you can inspect when you get in there.
 
@Landspeedracer the Lucas/Wassell ones are ok - but as mentioned already, the TMS ones are better.

Do be aware there is an error on several of the diagrams that ship with the Lucas looms.
I have contacted them about it, but they don’t seem bothered.

More details here.


If you end up making your own, I really like what our forum friend @marshg246 does on his bikes.

I did a wiring diagram for him which you can find here.


Wassell wiring looms - any good?
He’s done a great walkthrough over on his website.
 
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Autosparks are also assemble a large portion of the Lucas range ? so the TMS looms are produced by the same supplier as Wassell ????
 
I have only seen 1 person state the Wassells harnesses are made by Autosparks.

1. They had a vested interest as they work for Wassells.

2. They chose their words carefully and left it open as to what proportion of the harnesses are made by Autosparks.

3. If they are all made by Autosparks why do some of the harnesses include errors not in TMS supplied harnesses.

So the only way to be 100% certain it is made by Autosparks buy from TMS.
 
Plus one on buying from TMS.

A wire harness is one thing where it really is false economy to save money on...
 
Just a reminder kids, the FAILED FEMALE BULLETS (snap) in the electrical HARNESS/LOOM are responsible for 90% of the Lucas (electrical COMPONENTS) poor reliability stories/jokes.

1593120167846.jpeg

A large portion of them crack, creating a poor connection and then Bermuda Triangle shit happens from
Wassell wiring looms - any good?
Wassell wiring looms - any good?
 
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Unless the harness is a real mess through years of bodgery, I would just replace all the connectors with good quality tinned Japanese style 3.9mm bullets. ( it's what I did) The Original Lucas connectors are a PITA. As Concours and many others have said they corrode and fall apart inside the tube, you have two potential loose connections, and when they are in good shape it's impossible to pull them apart when you are troubleshooting.
 
Well my mind was made up for me after Tuesday’s rideout. I had a lovely ride, 40/50miles in, somethng like that, then all of a sudden at about 50mph it cut out............ then started up again as if nothing was wrong. Then 10 miles later it did it again, and restarted as I was slowing down while in gear. Then it was OK for another 20 miles, and once again it cut out and wouldn’t do its previous trick and restart while the engine was still turning over. I pulled up with a jerk, put it into neutral, and the jerk started it first kick. I didn’t touch anything, it just started. Weird. The 30 mile ride home was faultless. I’d already isolated the cut out switch prior to this.

so, I’ve ordered a new loom and ignition switch and I’ll fit them post haste, then see if I can get to the bottom of any possible wiring problems. All of my existing bullet connectors are either new or in good condition. But I can now take my time and build my own version with fewer unnecessary wires.
 
Yeah, true, the original Lucas bullets do corrode and fall apart... after 50 years...!

My T140 has a new harness, complete with the Lucas connectors and they’re fine. In fact, in the interest of standardisation I have continued to use them when modifying the harness too.

I think an application of silicone grease on the bullets is a good idea though.
 
Landspeedracer said:
Well my mind was made up for me after Tuesday’s rideout. I had a lovely ride, 40/50miles in, somethng like that, then all of a sudden at about 50mph it cut out............ then started up again as if nothing was wrong. Then 10 miles later it did it again, and restarted as I was slowing down while in gear. Then it was OK for another 20 miles, and once again it cut out and wouldn’t do its previous trick and restart while the engine was still turning over. I pulled up with a jerk, put it into neutral, and the jerk started it first kick. I didn’t touch anything, it just started. Weird. The 30 mile ride home was faultless. I’d already isolated the cut out switch prior to this.

so, I’ve ordered a new loom and ignition switch and I’ll fit them post haste, then see if I can get to the bottom of any possible wiring problems. All of my existing bullet connectors are either new or in good condition. But I can now take my time and build my own version with fewer unnecessary wires.
Click to expand...

Indeed, that needs sorting!

Removal of unnecessary wires on a Commando is very worthwhile as they only used one harness, for everything, inc plod bikes. You could probably wire two simple Commandos from one harness (joke BTW).

What ign are you using? IIRC some Boyers can do this cutting out lark...
 
I am still running a stock points setup. As it didn’t misfire or go onto one cylinder my money is on a power short somewhere, either one wire or the switch. I’ll change both. Then start to dismantle the offending items.
 
Landspeedracer said:
I am still running a stock points setup. As it didn’t misfire or go onto one cylinder my money is on a power short somewhere, either one wire or the switch. I’ll change both. Then start to dismantle the offending items.
Click to expand...

Power or ground, it's amazing how much you need both. ;)
 
reliability is key. what does it take to turn a 46 yr old wiring harness into a reliable one? a garbage can!. the corrosion is not just at the connectors but also inside the wires under the cover jacket. , a new harness from point to point is best and eliminate all connectors, those that cannot be eliminated should be moisture proof...

I know its just my opinion, and opinions are like @ssh0les -- everyone is entitled to one...;)
 
850commando said:
reliability is key. what does it take to turn a 46 yr old wiring harness into a reliable one? a garbage can!. the corrosion is not just at the connectors but also inside the wires under the cover jacket. , a new harness from point to point is best and eliminate all connectors, those that cannot be eliminated should be moisture proof...

I know its just my opinion, and opinions are like @ssh0les -- everyone is entitled to one...;)
Click to expand...

You are not wrong that modern wiring and connectors are an improvement. That doesn't mean it's the best option for everyone. Sometimes a new harness will suffice.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Indeed, that needs sorting!

Removal of unnecessary wires on a Commando is very worthwhile as they only used one harness, for everything, inc plod bikes. You could probably wire two simple Commandos from one harness (joke BTW).

What ign are you using? IIRC some Boyers can do this cutting out lark...
Click to expand...
Or keep the wires and fit some blue lights ;)
 
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