Topic: 77 CB550 electrical question

[arblebang]

So I just picked up a 77 CB550, kind of in rough shape but nothing that shouldnt make for a fun project. I got it running and sputtering around, then it started to present a strange problem.

I would turn on the ignition switch (toggle), and nothing would happen. Then, after a few second, the lights would come on and the bike would be good to go. No flickering or cutting out, it would just not do anything for a few seconds. At first I didnt mind, but then it took longer and longer for the headlight/oil light to come on (obviously I couldnt start the bike at this time either, no power at all anywhere). Now it wont come on at all. I have power at the switch and through the switch when it is on, at the fuse box on one of the fuses, and the battery is good and the battery ground is good. I can jump the solenoid to get the starter motor to turn over. However, no power to bezel, headlight, ignition, starter button, taillight, etc.

Where should I go from here?

Thanks

[Spanner 1]

Fusebox needs attention/shine-up......

[luap]

do you have power through the switch as soon as you turn it on or only when the lights come on,
Id say bad switch if you have power when the lights some on an not before

[TwoTired]

A toggle switch means wiring mods and the intermittents to go along with shoddy work.

Wiggle the switch and/or fuse box components while you have the problem, turn the bars, etc.

All the connectors tarnish with time and make poor connection.

On top of the solenoid is a main power feed for the rest of the bike.  I've seen that ring lug have a bad connection to its wire.  A jostle there would make power come and go.

[arblebang]

Thanks guys for all the input, yeah the toggle switch was the least of the problems, there are a ton of redneck mods here. I found the faulty connection up within the headlight bucket. Now the laborious process of replacing all of these solderless connectors.

Thanks again

[apehanger 550]

  I am just starting to get my '77 sorted out. The kill switch is half missing,and the start button [what start button ? ] The headlight hi-lo switch is all melted to crap as it appears the PO may have soldered both the high and low beam contacts together.
  Judco makes push button switches that fit in tiny places. Digikey sells them in small mail order quantities. The switches are American made and are rated for 50,000 cycles. The catch is they are only 3 amp rated,so my plan is to put a relay or two in the light bucket so the little switches will not burn out or blow fuses. Relays are available for multiple circuits,so it is not a big concern as the space they will take up in the light bucket.
  I do not think the '77 will be a build thread bike,just a clean up and stuff like a mouse nest and carb cleaning might make it run should be good enough to have a nice one to ride. Nice paint,chrome and original with no tank dents at all. I am still not believing that it was only $100.00.
  Even though the tires look good, they need replaced after sitting 21 years.
  One thing I cannot understand is the high chopper style handlebars on this bike. They seem so out of place on a CB....

[72500john]

hondaman sell a neat kit for the headlight relays..pretty much plug and play so to speak. as far as the rest of your electrical system..sorry to hear the red neck hacky go butchy worked on it!! get yourself some good corrosion removing contact cleaner..of course after you fix all the bad things done and go through all your connections..time well worth spent! good luck and keep us up to date.