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lucasmp
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« on: July 15, 2019, 06:08:37 AM » |
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Hello VRCC, I just joined after recently picking up a neglected 1999 Classic. The old girl has quite a story - stolen in 2001, partially parted out, retitled as a rebuilt 2002, and then passed around to a couple owners before languishing in a welding shop in the middle of nowhere central TX. She runs, but has some rough edges. Anyway, as I was poking around under the right cover in getting the horn relay to work (this forum was very helpful in figuring that out!), I saw that pretty much everything under there is covered in gunk. My question is, how best to clean that? Is contact cleaner my best approach? See this pic for an example:  . (PS: what are these connections for?) If there are any good threads on cleaning up electrical connections, or if you have any other advice in this area, I'm all ears! (direct pic link if that didn't work: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbbvg04ii2uguty/IMG_0010.JPG?dl=0) Oh, and is the female connection in this photo the accessory wire?  (direct pic link if that didn't work: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rj18qxomq1q666c/IMG_0011.JPG?dl=0) |
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'99 Tourer
Dallas, TX
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2019, 07:11:32 AM » |
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Yes, buy a spray can of electrical contact cleaner and go to town on it. Telling us which model your Valkyrie is (Standard, Tourer, or Interstate) will help us identify your connectors. I suspect it's an Interstate because I don't recognize them from my Tourer. On my bike the accessory power connectors are male and female bullet-style connectors, each inside its own flexible clear (at one time) insulating sleeves, both within a large flexible sleeve that contains many other circuits. In the topmost photo (ignore the two photos below it) they're inside the yellowed sleeve behind my DIY ground bar:  I found this picture of what I think is an Interstate:  |
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JimC
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« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2019, 07:20:51 AM » |
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When ever I am working near area's that are dirty and greasy I have a spray bottle of 50/50 mix of dawn dish soap and water, and a lot of old towels.
I spray the area, let is soak for a few minutes, then wipe away with towels. works great, and a lot cheaper than chemicals.
Jim
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16775
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2019, 07:35:59 AM » |
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I like that ground bus! -Mike |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2019, 08:17:46 AM » |
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I like that ground bus!
-Mike
Thanks! I am not crazy about dealing with a mess of ring terminals on my battery. |
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lucasmp
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« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2019, 08:24:35 AM » |
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Thanks for the input! I'll go with both - water / soap for the greasy spots in general, and contact cleaner for the electrics.
As far as model, it came with unattached hard bags that appear to be factory, so my first guess is Tourer, but I'm not 100% sure. Given its rebuilt past, could be either a Standard or Tourer by the looks of it. Not an Interstate with the fairing and trunks. I appreciate it!
I've got a LONG way to go to make my connections look so clean!
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'99 Tourer
Dallas, TX
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16775
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2019, 12:54:10 PM » |
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Anything could have happened to it, so this isn't a perfect test, but
if there's a reflector on each side of the rear fender "at the top of the wheel"
it's a Standard. On Tourers the reflectors are on the sides of the
saddlebags...
-Mike
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lucasmp
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« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2019, 02:15:37 PM » |
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Interesting! The only reflectors are on the hard bags, which are color-matched to the rest of the bike, so I'm thinking that means Tourer.
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'99 Tourer
Dallas, TX
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2019, 03:03:59 PM » |
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In addition to a good electronic spray, my favorite tool for that job is old soft toothbrushes.
Spray, scrub, spray, wipe.
I'd probably use my leaf blower before and after too, just not too much air on anything delicate.
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2019, 03:48:04 PM » |
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Interesting! The only reflectors are on the hard bags, which are color-matched to the rest of the bike, so I'm thinking that means Tourer.
Look at your label on the front. GL1500CD = Standard GL1500CT = Tourer GL1500CF = Interstate |
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« Last Edit: July 16, 2019, 04:40:15 PM by gordonv »
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16601
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2019, 04:15:37 PM » |
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Interesting! The only reflectors are on the hard bags, which are color-matched to the rest of the bike, so I'm thinking that means Tourer.
Look at your label on the front. GL1500C = Standard GL1500CD = Tourer GL1500CF = Interstate GL1500CD is still a Standard (Deluxe). GL1500CT is a Tourer. |
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RonW
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« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2019, 05:37:09 PM » |
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Thanks for the input! I'll go with both - water / soap for the greasy spots in general, and contact cleaner for the electrics.
I'd blast it with air to get rid of as much lint before spraying the solvent. The air is available in electronic stores, Best Buy, etc. It's on the expensive side, perhaps get it on the Internet. (After spraying for a few seconds, you have to let it warm up to regain its pressure.)  |
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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