Topic: '73 cb750 ignition fuse "hot"

[seann]

Checking some electrical connections and found the ignition fuse (lowest one) very hot...bike runs alright, just seems strange. Any ideas to explain this situation? Cleaned all connections, regulator, solenoid, battery, grounds etc.
Thanks,
Seann

[Gordon]

The fuse clips are probably corroded causing extra resistance, which causes heat.  Clean them up until you have nothing but good, shiny metal at the contact points. 

[Bodi]

Also... the stock fuses are an odd size unavailable in most auto or electronics shops, the usual AGC type is longer. This type of fuse will work but the contact area is smaller because the metal ends will be 1/4 to 1/2 out of the clips. If you can get the correct fuses you're better off.
The wire connections on the back of the clips can be bad, you just unbolt the fuse box and pry the back cover off to see what's up. The connections should be solid and well soldered - either bad assembly or overheating can leave you with loose wires stuck through the hole which cause a lot of overheating.
Once a clip has really gotten hot it loses its "spring" and should be retired. If you want the original fusebox, there are two extra sets of clips used to hold the spare fuses, just swap the clips around or rewire so the "spare" is actually the "main".
If a clip has just gotten sprung open you can squeeze the jaws together with pliers and retension it. The fuse should be pretty hard to snap in or pull out.