1976 Honda Cb550 electrical problem?

B

Ben

New member
Hello,
I have a 1976 Honda CB550, and I am having problems with the electrical system. For some reason my headlight and tail light were not working, so we started looking around at reasons for this. Suddenly everything went dark. We checked the fuses, all of them were fine. The battery is brand new. I just rode the bike around today for about an hour and everything was fine until we started looking for the headlight solution. I have had this problem in the past but it went away for awhile.

I should add that when this happened in the past, If I took off the battery and charged it, the bike would be ok for awhile until it happened again. I am guessing it's a short? Any ideas how to trouble shoot this or where the problem could be?
 
If it was a short you would be blowing fuses. It is an open(+12 volts not getting to the load), probably a connector not seated together right.
 
Does your bike have the "reserve lighting" box on it? If so, it could be an internal short. Replace the box or by pass it.

I am currently working on a 75 G'wing that has a simular problem, and this is exactly what the issue is.
 
If you still are useing the original Head Light Switch..or the Ignition Switch..I would replace those..
It could be either one..or if you know wiring just get a proper light switch and re-wire that circuit..
If you look at a schematic for a motorcycle wiring harness..its very difficult to find the worn out spot--
But the Main Switch could be the Ignition Switch..it might contain the GROUND--for the Lighting Switch..so just clipping off the wires and adding a Switch(isolated)from the Ignition Switch--could be possible..
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Attempting that with other ITEMS in the harness--would be risky..
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Another attempt is the use of WD40 Lubricant..to attempt to clean the switch--there-by..getting your switch to close properly..WD40 should not make things worse..spray WD40 inside the Ignition Switch--and useing your KEY--move the switch thru its locations..
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If that does NOT work..isolate the Lights with a New Switch..place a proper FUSE..on the Postive Wire..sometimes the Lights can be GROUNDED in their MOUNTING-POINTS..there may NOT be a need for a NEG. WIRE..but you may add a secure GROUND Wire to that item.from the SWITCH../
Experiance really is needed.
 
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