Wire type : Pre-war

Somewhere in the records there is reference to a cost saving on the WD models based on the substitution by rubber covered wiring - but I can't find it in my notes to confirm when and it doesn't say what the standard was..

My 1939 WD16H had its original loom and it was definitely rubber covered with the wiring round the headstock contained in a narrow rubber tube. I replicated this by using a length of the narrowest bicycle inner tube that I could find. If you want the rubber-insulated look then modern cable scrubbed with a 'Scotch-Brite' works well.

Colour coding was achieved by small coloured rubber bands close to the terminals. I've not found a satisfactory substitute for this - some people use heat-shrink but it looks modern to me.

Avoiding coloured wiring and pre-insulated crimp connectors is a good start !

Previously tony_baxter wrote:

Hi, I am told Nortons were using a rubber (similar to pvc nowadays) covered wire immediately in the Pre-War period. Apparently WD bikes may have had a cloth braid covering, but the one I am working on is a 1939 ES2. Did they use a sleeve over multiple wires ? I was going to order some of the modern pvc and cloth braided stuff as it looks so 'right' for the period, but I don't want to if it is especially 'wrong' !!

Cheers, Tony.

Being an advocator (spelling ? my spell checker doesn't work on this web site! AO) of modern wiring perhaps I shouldn't be involved with this one, but let me tell you a story about a Harley Davison......it was a rebuild of a war time model (in karki of course) I was asked to rewire it if the owner supplied the new/original harness. OK says I. a bag turns up with variouse lengths of 3 core wire, fine get on connecting up, then thought why is every piece of 3 core wire got RED BLACK and GREEN wires inside. Then I realized, it is war time-we haven't time to get special cable or make up special looms, soldier-just wire up that ol' bike with mains lead.........

AO

The wiring on my 1937 16H has a variety of coloured braids on black rubber insulation. I think Vehicle Wiring Products sell cloth braided wires. I have not seen any sign of colour coded tags but I'm guessing they might have been a wartime measure?But who can tell if it is all original after nearly 80 years?I wish I had read Richard's idea of cycle inner tube for rubber sleeving. But it is a devil of a job getting wires into it.Regards David

David, the smallest size of inner tube that I could find also proved ideal for re-covering the Jaeger type speedo cable but hiding the mould lines and manufacturer's markings involves turning it inside out...now that's a devil of a job ! my fingertips were literally bleeding afterwards.