Topic: What have I done ?

[meerkat]

The title says it all.
My left hand indicators stopped working after I removed the left hand rear one to fit a new grab handle on my new purchase, a 1977 CB400/4 F2 model.
I checked the bulb and found it was a 6 volt 8 watt (like the other 3) and it had been blackened through excess current.
I replaced all 4 bulbs with correct 12 volt 21 watt versions and the left hand side still didn't work.
The indicator relay was making a loud clicking noise when the indicator switch was to the left, but the indicators worked OK on the right hand side.
I changed the relay, no different except that the right hand side ones didn't work then either.
The 15 amp fuse blew while I was switching things on and off, replaced that and the headlight and tail don't work now.
So now I have only the horn, front parking light, brake light and 1 beam of the headlight working.
During the 2 months I've had the bike I've been trickle charging the battery while it was still connected to the bike, have I destroyed something in the process ?
Can anyone help please before I lose my little remaining sanity ? 

[cafe550]

you should not leave the battery on a trickle charger

you should use a battery tender

[meerkat]

you should not leave the battery on a trickle charger

you should use a battery tender

Battery tender (USA) is the same as a trickle charger (UK).
Mine is a top of the range Optimate which I also use on my other bikes without any problems.

[Popwood]

A PO had installed 6v bulbs on my indicator lights and fried the insulation on the bulb holder and partially down the wire harness. Suggest you check for shorts along the wiring where the 6v bulbs were used as you may have problems there. Not an electric system expert, just telling you what I found with a similar problem.

[Accolay]

Is your fuse box melted? (check the back of it too) Maybe when you put the new fuse in you wiggled something loose on it?

[DarcyCB400F]

I wonder if you have a bad ground fault somewhere... the blown fuse would indicate this.

Your headlight likely needs a new bulb and so does your tail light.

One thing you might consider is removing the "winker" relay and hotwiring the left lights to see if they light but if this circuit has the ground fault, you may be asking for a fire!

I would take an hour or two and closely examine the entire wiring harness looking for a bare wire that has found a way to ground out.

If you need a wiring diagram, send me a message and I will scan mine and send it along. I also have a 77 CB400F2.

[meerkat]

Hi,
Thanks to everyone for their replies. I'll take all your suggestions on board and seee if I can make some progress today.
 
It's disappointing to say the least to have this fault within a couple of weeks of the bike being tested OK and without even having had the opportunity to ride it.

[Toxic]

Take your time and follow the advice above.  It's a 40 year old bike in need of some love.

Do one problem at a time.  Start with your original problem with the turn signals.

Best of luck and let us know how you do.  There are lots of electrical gurus on here.

[meerkat]

Here's an update.
This morning I found I'd trapped the lead to the indicator underneath the washer on the lifting handle bolt and shorted through the insulation to earth.
I replaced the lead and everything was fine with the indicators and the relay worked OK.
However, now -
Although the 3 fuses in the box are Ok and the battery is good, I've lost all the electrics completely.
Tomorrow I start again.
The first ride on this bike seems to be further away than ever.

[Silverback]

Start testing from the battery towards the ignition switch and then follow the power lines beyond there for power.

1st: Test power at the MAIN 15A fuse block (should be ~13V)
If no power, the issue is back towards the battery.
If power, on to next step.
Turn the ignition and right control power switch to on and test the other fuses for power.
If no power, the issue is towards the switch.
2nd: test power at the switch by testing the wire inputs at the harness. A continuity test on the switch harness will tell you if it is functioning properly.
3rd: Test power in the headlamp bucket at the black wire, brown, brown/white and red/black with ignition on and so on.....

Total power losses are usually pretty easy to chase down.
 

[Mark M]

Earth is always worth checking (just after fuses - including cleaning the spring clips) when you get a total loss of electrics.