failed at using couplers

Yesterday I was trying to tidy up my wiring using the hard plastic, white couplers from Mike's. I really had a hard time. Ruined a lot of the female connectors. Very frustrating.
In the end I couldn't figure out how to get the female ones installed in the housing and still have any sheathing on the wires. I worked with them for a couple of hours really and finally had to ditch the effort.

I got the male ones in ok, I think. The male spades go in the small side, correct? Managed to get them sort of snapped in place. But the OTHER side....I just couldn't figure out how to get those female connectors in place. First, they didn't seem to fit the slots. Even with no wiring attached I couldn't get one to pop in. Then I tried it with wire, and finally figured out you have to pull the wire with no connector on it, through the hole first, then crimp, then back it up into its hole. But I think these connectors must be intended for use with very small diameter wire. I was trying with 18 gauge, and with the plastic sheathing still on the wires, there was just no way it was going through that hole.

So I had to strip the wire to get it skinny enough to thread through the hole. And then crimp, and then when I'd try to back it into place, in the slot, it wouldn't fit! PLus then I had all this bare wire!

If anyone has had the patience to read all this, does anything I've typed so far throw up a red flag for you, like "oh that's wrong"?
I really tried to think it through, but was unable to make it work. The female side just defeated me.

There was cursing in my carport. Objects were hurled. In failure, for now, I used Posilocks. Big old refrigerator like connectors.
I guess I will order more of the Mikes male and female bullet style connectors with the plastic sleeves. I like those best, but ran out. And I figured to avoid "bulk" I'd love to use the couplers.
But it was not to be.

Here's an example of how my couplers worked out................these are Mikesxs couplers. Now both these are male terminals but the female terminals should work as well. I solder the wire to each terminal and then just push the terminal into the coupler. There is a small "tang" that locks the terminal into the coupler.

Vintageconnection.com has all the connectors the right crimper, etc. with the right tools they aren't that bad, without they can suck. Vintage connection is cheaper, and ships fast too.

Emz,
I have not used Mike's connecters but similar ones from Radio Shack in the past.

IF i'm reading correctly, the insulation (sheathing) needs to be removed to a depth that matches at least the crimp on post length (ie. crimp to bare wire). You may have to remove additional insul' for the remainder of the wire going inside the connecter (for fit only).
I plan on using and have started acquiring, WeatherPak (sp.) connecters. I have not used these yet BUT they sure do look good and I like the extra water resistance as I need NO MORE HEADACHES with the bike.
E-bay has the WeatherPak as may some local sellers.
Good luck

Reread your post. I recall (uh oh!!!!) the Radio shack terminals going from the BACK side and locking (meaning only stripping enough to fit in the coupler).
Too many j's, too much liqueor thru the yeaars might have rendered this recall FUBAR.
Again Luck, all good.

thanks I am going to look into the weatherpak connectors.

Thanks everyone for the input.
Retiredgentleman, thank very much for the pics and detailed explanation. Looks like you got at least 16 gauge wires going in there?

emzdogz;

Yes, I used #14 gauge for the rectifier. If I replace other wiring on the bike, I would use #16 gauge.