'86 VF1000R plug wires?

Hey-

Finally starting to make some real progress on my '86 VF1000R restore. The plug wires seem to be a bit stiff and baked. Looked around quite a bit for direct replacements and came up short. Anyone replaced theirs with any luck? If so, wha'd ya use? Anyone using aftermarket Dynatek type stuff?

thanks,
bill

 

My sabre had a couple of wires made out of catv coax so i went to the dealer and he cut me enough off of a roll to make new ones. it was wire core and he gave me the ends also.

 

Hey, Dbuzz- thanks for writing. I should have been more clear. I don't have any probs getting wire but WAS hoping I could get the right stuff with the
ends that screw into the coils and such. I didn't want inadvertently screw up one of mine by pulling it apart the wrong way so instead of re-inventing the wheel, thought I'd see if anyone else had luck finding the stuff. Ok then here goes... (8

cheers,
b

 

Pretty sure the ends are just plastic compression type fittings. When you take it apart it is just an end of a plug wire.

When I built my VF500F race bike I used bulk NGK wire with new NGK caps and sealed up the coil end fittings with a little black silicone (my replacement wire was slightly smaller diameter). Then threaded them back on the coils.

Zero issues 17 years later. (17 years?!!!!!... getting old)

 

Nice- I did almost the same thing on my last gixxer except I got around the coil part by switching to Dynatek coils and I've still got at least 8 new caps which look like they'll fit the plugz. Ok then. hese wires are around 30 years old and appear to be shot so maybe there's nothing to lose anyhow.
I'll give it a try. Have to admit this VFR is a challenge compared to restoring an in-line 4. Am almost ready for paint though...

thanks again,
b

 

God... I love the old Gixxers. Very nice!!! Always wanted the R/W/B Limited Edition 750. Can't imagine what my shop would look like if I got into Suzukis too.

Can't wait to see some 1000R progress. I'm in the middle of a mechanical (and slight cosmetic) rebuild of a crashed 86 1000R right now.

 

"Ok then. hese wires are around 30 years old and appear to be shot"

How are these Wires "shot"?
They are not a Wear Item.
The "wire" does not wear out, but the ends get corroded.
High Voltage is Corrosive so the wire ends can get beat up.
I take the wire ends to a high speed grinder wheel and grind off 1/4".
The ends then look like new.
Scratch up the brass pins in the coils.
Thoroughly clean and Armoral the wires.

If money is burning a hole in your pocket, then why aren't you putting in Iridium Spark Plugs?

You should make sure the Spark Boxes have good connections.
Its also worth beefing up the solder connections inside the spark box (requires delicate disassembly).
I try to do the free stuff first.
I've had a spark box failure due to Solder Ring Cracks on the circuit board (blown FET(replaced)).
If in doubt, solder all the connectors related to the Coil/Spark circuit.

The High Voltage Wire only needs replacing if its been chafing/wearing against something and insulation is wearing thru due to poor wire routing.

Yes, get this Beast breathing fire, and pictures are mandatory.