Topic: Ignition Switch Troubles - '78 CB550

[Stilltime]

Evening,

I have a '78 CB550 that is in good running condition.  The PO had hacked the 5-prong wiring connector that goes to the ignition switch off, butt-crimped smaller gauge wire onto the stock harness and crimped blade terminals on the end and stuffed them all in the stock ignition switch (5-prong with steering lock + Parking).  For my brake/taillight/rear turns I am using a RadiantZ integrated LED unit that works well with Triton EP34 LED electronic flasher.  Everything works fine with the stock switch hooked up, I just cannot figure out how to hook up the new switch and retain turn signal function.

This past week I designed a new "dash" plate to house a speedometer, the choke, four indicator lights, and the new ignition switch I purchased.  Ordered the switch through Dime City Cycles but it is from Lossa Engineering, and their wiring diagram is attached.

Prior to taking the factory switch off, everything did *work* fine; key to "on" and running brake light came on, I could operate the headlight and the signals, and the brake switch activated the brake light.  My understanding after looking at the factory manual is that on the "On" position, the ignition switch jumpers Red and...Black? for ignition, and Brown+Brown/White for accessory lighting.  Here's what I can't figure out through reading, searching, or trial and error:

Lossa Red <---> Stock Red
Lossa Purple <---> Stock Black
/\/\/\ Key "On" and no running light, but brake light works, ignition works and bike starts

Lossa Red <---> Stock Red
Lossa Purple <---> Stock Black
Lossa Purple/White <---> Stock Brown
/\/\/\ Key "On" and I get running brake light, brake light, ignition works and bike starts but *no* turn signals??

I tried every other combination of Power Out + with Key On wires from the Lossa switch to the stock Brown/White wire, but I cannot get the turn signals to work now   Any suggestions? 




Thanks,

Chris C.

[HondaMan]

That's a confusing switch!
The bike needs this to turn ON:

Bk to Rd (bike colors) for Ignition, Brake light, turn signals.
Bn to Bn/Wh to operate lighting circuits at the same time as above (because lights' power is sourced from Bk in the harness, at the headlight).

For parking light, the Red gets connected to the Bn/Wh.

The Bn/Wh is fused with the 3rd fuse in the fuseblock, usually either 2.5 or 5 amps. This is between the switch and the taillight.

[Stilltime]

That's a confusing switch!
The bike needs this to turn ON:

Bk to Rd (bike colors) for Ignition, Brake light, turn signals.
Bn to Bn/Wh to operate lighting circuits at the same time as above (because lights' power is sourced from Bk in the harness, at the headlight).

For parking light, the Red gets connected to the Bn/Wh.

The Bn/Wh is fused with the 3rd fuse in the fuseblock, usually either 2.5 or 5 amps. This is between the switch and the taillight.

Ah so the turn signals should be coming on with just the Bk/Rd bike wires switched... Something else is going on that I can't figure out then.  They worked perfectly when key was "On" with the stock switch.  Maybe their diagram is incorrect?

I just can't swallow all of the different wording their diagram uses when it almost all sounds the same (power out with key "on").  Thus my initial frustration when the turn signals wouldn't work.

[Stilltime]

I forgot to mention I will not be using the starter position of the new switch, I will retain the stock control with Kill and Start for electric start.  All i need the new switch to do is provide the ignition and light circuit power in the "on" position like the stock switch did.  I appreciate your feedback HondaMan!

[Stilltime]

Found out a little more but still would like input if possible!

The Yellow/Black (Lossa) = key push in = power out (+) is exactly how it sounds.  It is like a momentary switch, push the key farther in the switch in the "on" position and it is energized.

The Black and Black/Yellow wires from the new switch seem to have no effect, as they are just grounds.

I am putting keyed power out (Lossa Purple) into the bikes Black wire, which is what gives energy through my meter on the stock switch (red to black).  When I connect the bikes Brown wire to either the Lossa Purple or Purple/White (see diagram) the tail/brake/headlight become energized.  My issue seems to be the turn signals in the rear taillight, which worked perfectly fine with the stock switch.

Any ideas??


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[Stilltime]

Another update, hopefully clarifying some things.

My '78 CB550 had a 5-prong connector with OFF-ON-PA.  New switch just has OFF-ON-START.  I won't be using the start feature, so I just need to figure out what to connect to the stock Br and Br/W wires from this Lossa switch..


Stock -- Lossa
Red -- Red ----- Check ----- +12V in
Black -- Purple(??) -- Keyed 12V out to ignition
Brown -- Purple/White -- Taillight and acc *except* turn signals works
Br/W -- ?  What should this connect to?

Update: Plugged in the stock switch and turn signals now won't energize with it; they were working.  I may have killer the flasher in the process?



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