tail light wiring

[John Bokman]

I've decided my first-run Rambler "needs" an upgrade to a wired tail light (wired headlight has been on since day one). Problem is, I don't know a good method to do the job. 

Q: How do you snake the wire though the frame and out the port at he bottom bracket?

Thanks.

J.

[David Chamberlain]

John, 

Are you doing this with a bare frame or with the BB installed? If the former, I've had success with snaking a shifter or brake cable through and then using that to pull the lighting cable through. Sometimes a single strand from a brake cable works even better. You can attach the lighting cable to that with good duct tape or even heat shrink tubing (whatever you use just keep that connection as thin as possible)

If the latter (w/BB installed), then a trick I've heard that others use with some success is to use either dental floss or sewing thread and then "pull" it through with a shop vac. You have to plug up everything except the opening you want the floss to exit. Attach a shop vac to the exit hole with duct tape to form a good seal, then thread the floss or thread in and let the vacuum suck it through the frame and out the exit hole. Haven't tried that method but it sounds like it should work.

Additional tip: if you're planning to use grommets to protect the cable at the entrance and exits, make sure you thread those onto the lighting wire before you get too far along. 

It takes more time than you think so just be patient. Having a wired taillight is totally worth it though!

- David

[Kevin M]

Use a small gauge metal guitar string, and bend a little hook at the end. The little knob at the end of the string make for a good handle and allows you to twist and guide the hook-end of the string out of the hole. 

-Kevin

New Rambler owner 

In Madison, WI