Author Topic: New to me '77 could use a suggestion.  (Read 1320 times)

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Offline H20dogg

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New to me '77 could use a suggestion.
« on: November 16, 2014, 09:49:05 PM »
Hi All,

Thank you whoever started this forum I have found gobs of useful information here!  On the flip side I did not want to ask for help but here I am and I'll try to keep this short.

When I picked up the bike it had a vetter cowling and boxes up the wazzoo, so I uninstalled everything.  I then installed new blinkers, a headlight, and a seat. Then she started blowing fuses.  When I turn the bike on the taillight fuse blows but my headlight works and so do the blinkers.  If I put a bigger fuse on the taillight the main fuse blows first. I have checked the wiring diagram a million times and I'm sure I have everything hooked up right, also been running down wires and fixing breaks as I find them.  I'm just pissed because the taillight worked fine before I stared.

In your opinion is it worth continuing to track down and replace or just replace the damn harness? Unless there is something I am obviously missing.

Thanks!

Offline Bokeh

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Re: New to me '77 could use a suggestion.
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2014, 07:49:31 PM »
If everything was working before you removed all the bags etc.  The main harness should be fine unless the Previous Owner spliced into the main harness.  My guess is that either you or the PO accidently pulled a wire too tight and it rubbed on a metal edge that cut into the wire causing it to short.  No telling at which point it may have occurred.  When moving the wires around a bare spot could be touching now that wasn't previously.  Definitely check where all the wires  from the lights that route through the bike following back to the main harness.  Common spot would be where the tail lights route through the rear fender,  if the rubber grommet is worn or slipped out of place that metal hole could cut into a wire if the wire was pulled tight.  If all that looks good then check the wiring inside the lights and make sure no leads are touching any metal they aren't supposed to.  You may want to sacrifice another fuse and disconnect the brake light wires.  If you don't blow a fuse then something in the brakelight is definitely shorting.  Double check you didn't cross any wires in the tail light by accident.  And I wouldn't suggest putting a bigger fuse in there again as you would rather blow the taillight fuse then over power something else in the main.  Like I said if it was working fine before then something has to be shorting to bare metal in the taillight or it's wiring (if all connections are correct).  Find it as you could replace the main harness and you will still have a short.  You could always get a few guys to stand around the bike in the dark put a new fuse in and look for a tiny spark when you turn the key,  but it should be easy enough to trace back to.  Good Luck wiring issue can sometimes be a real Beeatch.  Sometimes they just like to hide.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2014, 07:52:17 PM by Bokeh »

Offline calj737

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Re: New to me '77 could use a suggestion.
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2014, 04:26:25 AM »
And double check the brake light circuitry, especially from the front since that's where you've done the most "un-doing".
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis