Removing the Honda Rear Rack

[postoak_imp]

I want to take my bike back to stock. I've removed the rear rack, but forgot to take note of what the black pieces behind the garnishes (what Honda calls the "garnish plates") do. They seem sort of pointless. Do the wires from the lights run through the hole in them?

Also, my garnishes have holes drilled in the back (toward the rear of the bike). One has two holes and the other has one. Am I correct in assuming these were put there by the previous owner?

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Ho...parts.html

[Lord Popgun]

I just went out and took a look at my '13 and it appears that all they do is cover the back of the garnish, and provide a wire guide. The turn signal wire does go through the hold in the big end.

The only holes in the rear of the garnish are like in the pic you referenced. One for the bolt that holds it to the frame, and one to mount the signal light.

[postoak_imp]

Thanks for taking the time to do that.

[Lord Popgun]

You could solder the wires together and use head shrink to cover it. Or you could use a crimp type splice. Nice ones have a sealent in the heat shrink cover. I get them at Home Depot or a marine store. The sealent melts and seals as the plastic cover shrinks down in place. A heat gun is the preferred method; some use a pocket lighter...

You can put male and female bullet connectors for easy removal. Lots of ways. Do NOT just twist the wires together and put tape on them.

[postoak_imp]

No, I don't want to do that. I want something that looks like it could have been done at the factory. My only problem is that on one side the wires are cut just as they exit from under the seat. That one is going to be a little challenging.

[Lord Popgun]

They are connected in the plastic boot back by the battery box. Removing the Left side cover can help to get there. You could unplug them, get some slack, do your fix, then pull the slack back and reconnect.

For a complete factory job, you would have to replace the connector on the end of the wire that connects to the signal leads. You would need some skill in connector repair, but it is not difficult. They are sumitomo connectors and you would need 2 and the pins. And preferably the crimp tool. I have a source if you need it.

FYI, the front signals use metric bullet terminals and that can be seen here:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Ho...parts.html
I have a set of rear signal lights and just looked at one. The connector is pretty small and is not in the Sumitomo kit I bought. I might would have to call the guy I bought from and talk to him for the correct one if not shown on his web site.

[Lord Popgun]

I believe these are the connectors: http://www.cycleterminal.com/050-connectors.html

Orange ones, second connector down. The ones on our bikes are orange too.