Well I have seen just about everything else on here, so I thought I would try. Going to try and resurrect a 83' Harley Davidson sportster for a friend. When it quit years ago was do to wiring failure. After looking at it today, I think a new harness is in order. Im new to motorcycles, and could use to get pointed in the right direction to source a harness and future parts.

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with wings as eagles

Google is your friend...

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In dog years I'm dead.

A new factory harness from H-D, the price is staggering, but it will be the least amount of work and your best bet. That said, you can probably locate a motorcycle salvage yard in your area, and find a good donor to chose from. This would be a viable option. V-Twin manufacturing carries them up until the late 1990's. You can have your local shop check as you can't buy direct from them. Still the price is $600 plus or minus.

You can check with Dennis Kirk, or JP Cycles too. After closing my shop I have dealt with both.

Another alternative is a universal chopper type harness. These work well depending on your electrical requirements and your skill set. You also are able to make things more compact and place componants where ever you like them and not where someone else has designated.

Lastly, repair the stock or original harness. Done correctly it can save you money and grief, again if you have the patience and skill set. The places I mentioned can help you with small parts such as terminal ends and connectors. DO NOT SKIMP on anything electricaly related on a Harley Davidson. Read that last part twice. I have built many high end choppers and pro-street bikes and know what I'm talking about.

I'll try and folow this and help you when I can. Normally I'd give you my home number to call, but I'm going thru a period in my life, { ex wife }, and dont always want to talk to people, 26Ford

Yes, that back tire is 12 inches wide!

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What he said. Since it's a 1983, we're talking shovelhead. Electrical stability is critical, especially if it's still points and condenser. One last option is to get a wiring schematic and build your own, if you have the knowledge and ability.

Recommend J&P Cycles as well,good folks to deal with.They carry parts for my 93 FLHS, 1942 Servicar,prices are fair and service is great!

Google on "Maxsalvage" - they sell a lot of used HD wiring harnesses. It seems like the price is always $150. They might be able to tell you which years would fit your 83.

thanks guys, will check those out. Im pretty good with electrical, but first experience with HD. Ill post photos when he brings it over, and I will let you know how it is going

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with wings as eagles

cuda, 2 things I would like to convey here. First have or buy a genuine H-D service manual for the bike. You can buy a used one on-line, or new ones from either JP Cycles or Dennis Kirk, yes factory manuals.
Secondly, have a plan. Is this a complete resto project or a cut down bobber? Two vastly different requirements for a wire harness needed for various projects. If your doing a resto, go with the factory or factory replacement style harness. If you were building a bare-bonz rider with just the legal requirements for lights etc., I would go with a chopper style universal harness and a mini electronic module for the relays.
Nothing will leave you on the side of the road faster than a botched wiring job on a vibrating and shaking Harley. This is where good bike mechanic skills come into play even more than being good with electricity.
Another option is of course building your own harness. If your good with basic electricity, examine the old harness carefully, and ascertain if you can build one from scratch.

If this is the path that you decide to take -
You want to use wire with Machine Tool Wiring (MTW) insulation!
The stuff you can get at Home Depot/Lowes/etc is almost all THHN - It has a plastic jacket to make it easier to pull through conduit, but it (the insulation) will get brittle and allow water to get at the wire eventually.

Use MTW ONLY

__________________
In dog years I'm dead.