Topic: Flasher issues after rewiring to install Vetter fairing

[pjandrew99]

Have a 1971 CB 750 which I rewired to install a Vetter fairing. It didn't have the original Vetter harness so I had to be creative. After installation, all lights, flashers and indicator lights work. The issue is that when I put on the flashers ALL of the lights blink slightly as well.  Before I totally dig into this again I was hoping for some direction.
Thanks

[kerryb]

My first thought is a leak through a set of switched leads.  Meaning...you are powering a bulb through the ground lead and it is affecting the others.  Just a wild guess...

[bryanj]

Typical bad ground on a plastic body

[pjandrew99]

Typical bad ground on a plastic body

I believe the ground for the flashers are the bolts that hold the plastic headlight bucket on. The bolts go through the bucket and go into a nut inside the bucket. There is a rubber gasket between the plastic bucket and the nut inside the bucket. A green wire goes from each side nut and connects to a double connector connected to a green wire. Maybe the issue is this connection?
I am not an electrical expert so not quite understanding your comment. Appreciate the help!

[bryanj]

Here in uk you see lots of cars where when the brakelights go on indicators and reverse lights glow, this is because the ground connection is not good and electrickery has to go through the other bulbs to get to ground, you have a similatr problem in that one of the ground paths be it a corroded wire connection or metal bits not bolted together tight enough.
The fairing is Glass Reininforced Plastic (GRP) and does not conduct electricer so anything bolted to it needs a GOOD external ground.

[pjandrew99]

Appreciate the responses!
Sounds like I have a ground issue somewhere. Thanks

[pjandrew99]

Started working on this again.
Had a question about the proper way to wire the ignition switch to the Vetter harness.
The ignition switch has a black, red, Br/w and brown wire. I need to connect it to the harness which has a nine pin connector connecting to the nine pin in the fairing. I disconnected the old switch under the tank and ran four wires up to the bucket. From there I need to connect to the Vetter harness that connects to the harness inside the fairing. There is a brown and orange accessory wire as well as a red cigarette lighter wire available in the harness.
So I connected:
Red to Red(cigarette lighter wire)
Brown to Brown(accessory wire)
Black to Black( all black wires in the fairing are joined together)
Br/w to Orange(accessory wire)
The main fuse blows. If I leave all the above together but connect the black from the switch directly to the black wire on the bike everything works. Of course I still have my original problem which is all lights blinking when I use the blinker. I believe that is a ground issue but I want to be sure its not related to incorrect ignition switch wiring.
So, is the black wire on the ignition switch a ground wire? I thought ground wires on the CB750K's(mine is K1) were always green. Vetter's ground wires are all black.
Should I splice in the black wire in the fairing harness directly to the black switch wire? Right now its connected to several other black wires. Looks like this was done by Vetter when they assembled the fairing.
What is the best way to wire this?
Thanks!

[HondaMan]

Often on the Vetters (especially the ones with 9-pin connectors) the female connector for Ground has been heated so much that it lost its metal temper. This lets it spread out and have poor connection. I have sometimes fixed them by replacing the contact and then adding another to the Ground circuit (usually using the Cigarette Lighter Accessory +V socket, changing it to another Ground) to the plug to help balance the currents a little more. On the 6-pin (early) Vetters, this happens after many more years than on the 9-pin versions.

Also: if you have some LPS1 (not 2, or 2.5, or 3, but 1) add a drop to each contact. That will waterproof them.

[pjandrew99]

Often on the Vetters (especially the ones with 9-pin connectors) the female connector for Ground has been heated so much that it lost its metal temper. This lets it spread out and have poor connection. I have sometimes fixed them by replacing the contact and then adding another to the Ground circuit (usually using the Cigarette Lighter Accessory +V socket, changing it to another Ground) to the plug to help balance the currents a little more. On the 6-pin (early) Vetters, this happens after many more years than on the 9-pin versions.

Also: if you have some LPS1 (not 2, or 2.5, or 3, but 1) add a drop to each contact. That will waterproof them.

Thanks Hondaman. Are you referring to the female connector in the nine pin connector in the fairing? The black wire? If not, where is the female connector for the ground located?  Also, after installing the ignition switch, I have no additional accessory wires to change to a ground. Makes me think I wired the switch incorrectly.  Appreciate it!!!!

[HondaMan]

Often on the Vetters (especially the ones with 9-pin connectors) the female connector for Ground has been heated so much that it lost its metal temper. This lets it spread out and have poor connection. I have sometimes fixed them by replacing the contact and then adding another to the Ground circuit (usually using the Cigarette Lighter Accessory +V socket, changing it to another Ground) to the plug to help balance the currents a little more. On the 6-pin (early) Vetters, this happens after many more years than on the 9-pin versions.

Also: if you have some LPS1 (not 2, or 2.5, or 3, but 1) add a drop to each contact. That will waterproof them.

Thanks Hondaman. Are you referring to the female connector in the nine pin connector in the fairing? The black wire? If not, where is the female connector for the ground located?  Also, after installing the ignition switch, I have no additional accessory wires to change to a ground. Makes me think I wired the switch incorrectly.  Appreciate it!!!!

Yep, Black = Ground in these, which was USA DC wiring color codes circa 1970s.
Here is a link Craig's original instructions, if you don't have them:
http://craigvetter.com/images/Vetter%20Fairings/Windjammer-instructions-images/Windjammer_instructions/1972%20Windjammer%20mount.pdf

Mine is the 'Jammer I fiberglass version, only has the earlier 6 circuit plug on it. Craig made the 9-circuit version when he came out with the radio mount so you could put tunes in your fairing - although, you usually had to then go up a tire size and add air forks or shims to rebalance the weight!

[pjandrew99]

Appreciate the info and instructions! I'll keep forging ahead. Thanks