Topic: CB500 WTF?

[papp101]

So I've gotten back in to my build from almost a year, and found that after triple checking everything up front behind the headlamp, it was running great.

However, after a trip down the street and back, I ended up thinking "Hey, it's dark out. I'll turn my key to the second switch and turn on the lights." As soon as I did that, the bike died. I flipped it back and everything was ok for a sec, so I tried it to confirm, and it died again. Then when I went back to the first click of the key and tried the blinker, it died and wouldn't come back.

When I pulled over, I noticed the one fuse in my 1971 CB500 was blown.

I know my battery was pretty low at that point before I even took it out.

2 questions: What would cause that fuse to blow on the 2nd switch? Also, with the switch turned off I got a few volts off the rectifier? (the one on the bottom of the electrics panel with the exposed wires, not the one on the right side that's totally sealed, I might have them backwards.)

Should I get 1.8 volts or so off those terminals with the switch totally off?

I'd really appreciate the help!

[mjstone]

On a CB500 the lights are turned on and off at the switch on the right hand controls.  The positions are off-low-high.  The positions of the ignition (key) switch are off-on-park going clockwise.  The park position only powers the tail light so you can pull your key with you bike shut off and have your bike seen in the dark, kinda like hazard lights in your car.  The ignition on the bike is off in the off and park positions, so that is why you bike shut down on you.

MJ

[papp101]

I am a dumbass.

Thank you!