Topic: 1978 CB550K electrical problem

[magnus72]

the right turn indicator when on does not blink. The left when on does, but the rear tail light will only work when the left is on, and then it only blinks when I press down on the rear brake. The dash lights only work when the rear brake is applied as well, with the left blinker signal activated too.

[dodge2000]

sounds like a grounding issue.  you are only getting lights when the rear brake is grounding, check the green connectors on the tail light and in the head light bucket.  do you have a wiring diagram.  spend a bit of time tracing how all these circuits interact.  if you have a multimeter you can start to check at what point the power is lost

[TwoTired]

What the real problem is, is a lack of information.  I can't only tell you that if the bike is still in stock trim, you should not have an issue.  However, if someone has made modifications, therein may lie the root of the issue, which is in no way generic to a 1978 CB550K.

Until better informed, I'll suggest the ground returns have been corrupted and are ill understood.  Device power needs two distinct paths, both to AND from the battery.  Ignore either and problems are likely to ensue.

If your bike is still stock, the Honda shop manual K3 wire diagram should help you track down failed connections.