THE MOMENT OF TRUE.

The engine has been sitting on the workbench covered with a piece of sheet for over a month.


 I haven't done much work on the Z13 during this time, as my attention has been focused on other bikes in the garage.


  A year and a half ago, I replaced the three ignition coils, reusing the old fastom plugs with disastrous aesthetic results, although the bike worked and sparked.


 

This past year, I have woken up several times in the middle of the night covered in sweat, thinking about such a horrible job.



So I decided to remedy that torment that was plaguing me and bought some climbing pliers on Amazon for 30 euros.

 

I ordered a set of classic Kawasaki fastoms from the folks at Biker's Tool Box.

 
 

I got down to work and crimped the cables with the new fastoms, and the result is fucking perfect.

 

With its plastic cover, it looks brand new.

 

 I've already replaced a few fastom terminals, enjoying this work like a pig in mud.


 By the time I finish this motorcycle, I'll also be an expert in automotive electricity.



Let's continue.

I bought a similar crimping tool a couple of years ago and I remember that feeling when you finish the first crimp and it looks like a factory made crimp. It's a beautiful thing. Makes you want to start building a new harness. Best part is the connectors are cheaper than the insulated wire connectors.

Kawboy wrote:

I bought a similar crimping tool a couple of years ago and I remember that feeling when you finish the first crimp and it looks like a factory made crimp. It's a beautiful thing. Makes you want to start building a new harness. Best part is the connectors are cheaper than the insulated wire connectors.

The only thing I don't really like is that in the original wiring, the fastom terminals are made of copper, unlike the new ones, which are made of tinplate. I don't know to what extent this may affect conductivity.

Tired of having to increase braking power by dragging my feet on the ground, I decided to replace the original brake lines with metal ones. 


Taking advantage of the fact that I bought spare parts in Germany for the Z1000, I also ordered a set of brake lines for the Z13 from the folks at PROBIKE.

 

The old hoses were already deformed like sausages.


  A special feature of the new hoses is that you can change the orientation of the banjo so that the hose does not work in a forced position.

 

When I perform the dynamic road test, I will tell you more about this improvement.
  

Yes wire crimping and soldering is the the only way to stop sleepless nights but what i have found that cheap electrical male and female connecters, the metal is very soft so when plugging them together they come lose like putting your head light back on causing electrical gremlins

Non the wiser at the time I also bought these for the '79 project and they are likely the ones you are referring to. 
 
I did one plug end and realized the same thing:  No gripping force....at all !   Garbage !  I tossed them out and replaced them with the "traditional" style.
 
I also bought the crimpers,  previously discussed.  The only way to go !