Normal....... the stock flasher relay is 2 wire that ground is not used in the stock blinker circuit. Have you looked at the bulb wattages?...also a slightly drained battery will not 'fire' the thermal ( stock ) relay, but should flash o.k. with a running bike. A lot of guys replace the old stocker with an electronic relay that flashes at a steady rate regardless of low or fully charged battery. Any AutoParts store should have one.....good luck, Merry Christmas!