Cutting the wire!

When repairing electrical faults or fully rewiring a bike the first thing you will want is a method of cutting the wire and removing the insulation.

- Ralph Ferrand

It sounds simple but many home mechanics admit to knowing little about electrics, but this doesn’t stop them ‘repairing’ broken electrical systems on their bikes with the most unsuitable tools available.

I have seen lads use a pair of pliers to cut, strip and crimp wire on bikes, cover them with cheap insulating tape and then they are surprised when their bike spectacularly lets them down in the middle of nowhere.

Motorcycle wiring is not to be attempted by those without patience or who are too tight to buy the proper tools for the job. For classic bikes the list of required tools is really not that deleterious to one’s personal wealth, but as in all things buying, the cheapest tools will not make life easier and will not last very long.