I just finished reading some forums about the coils arcing fire to gas tank and frame under the right humidity conditions. One of the guys said that just about all road star coils will arc. Has anyone had any experience with this? Mine has had a rare miss once or twice. Anyway wondering if it is worth trouble to tape the coils or not? What do you think?

That's correct the coils arc to the frame. At night or in a dark garage, start the bike and check them out to see if yours are arcing.

Mine were not arcing but I wrapped them anyways. It's not a big job and the tape (not electrical) is not that expensive.

Doc

Doc thanks for the reply. You said you dont wrap with electrical tape. What kind of tape do you use? Ive been trying to think about what I could use and am coming up with a blank! Do you think this could be a problem on the 1100 V-stars too? Should I go ahead and wrap the wifes coils on v-star also?

It's not really the 'normal' electrical tape but a self-fusing rubber tape used for waterproofing and insulating electrical connections. The rubber tape is about 1-2 mm thick. It comes in a roll and one side has a paper or plastic backing which you remove as you are wrapping the coil. It fuses to itself.

There are various brands and I've seen it called by various names (splicing tape, rubber tape, fusing tape) so just look for a roll of tape with an adhesive backing.

I can't help you with the V-star info. You'll certainly have a lot of tape left over and it doesn't hurt, so if you have time on your hands go ahead.

Doc

Doc I have never even heard of that type of tape before. Glad to know that some of us keep up with the new products available out there. I will start looking for paper backed tape tomorrow. Im thinking it will be kind of like the paper that comes on pinstriping.

Whats up guys? The tape that you are referring to is called compound rubber tape. As you begin to wrap it, stretch it and then wrap it so it will stick to itself. Wonderful stuff I've used for years on all electrical connections that may be subjected to moisture..

Big Al you are right, here at my work we use a 3M product called Scotchfil Electrical Rubber tape. It is great for wire and connector where water may get in to it. If it is a joint or object that you want to get back in without trouble, just wrap it with Scotch 33 electrical tape first. After wrapping the wires, wrap regular electrical tape around it and it is water tight.

The tape you are talking about has been around for decades, we used in the military on the planes for wrapping different things. We called it F-4 tape, probably because the F-4 was taped together with it. It does not like oil so make sure hands are clean when applying it, and it's a good idea to put a wire tie at the termination point as it like to start coming un stuck after awhile.We used to make rubber balls out of it too, kinda hurts when you get whacked with it. I kinda thought when I heard about wrapping the coils that it might have something to do with heat causing the coils to breakdown. I think I will wrap the coils with insulating tape then take this old starter blanket I have and wrap the coils with a piece of it to reflect the heat away, keeping the coils cooler and maybe the bike might run better also.

Wildrat

"We used to make rubber balls out of it too, kinda hurts when you get whacked with it."

The USAF .... there's no life like it!

Doc