Topic: No F###ING Clue What I did??? HELP!

[no718.com]

Hello All,

Newbie here, please excuse my profanity. I own a '78 CB750K. It's my first motorcycle so there is a lot I do not know about this bike and motorcycles in particular for that matter. I just recently got the bike running well after having the carbs rebuilt and doing some basic maintenance. She'd fire right up like a champ.

So . . . I decided to take my front end apart to install clip-on handle bars and a new set of headlight ears. After reassembling everything I tried to fire her up and she barely turned over. Came back a few hours later and hit the start button and nothing at all? Headlight is on, oil and neutral light is on and every time I hit the start button the headlight dims. I am also running a brand new battery???

The only thing I could think of is that I cut the two black wires that runs to each front blinker because I was going to install new ones ... Would it be safe to say I have an electrical issue here???

Any help or advice would be super helpful!!!

Thanks,
Josh
www.no718.com

[750]

first things first.  try charging your battery   It's the least invasive thing and a common problem.  Even though new it could easily be drained.

[scrapvalue]

Definitely an electrical issue.

I would start by going through all the wires you disconnected and reconnected and make sure you don't have something mixed up.
May also be a pinched wire that is grounding out.
If it was working before you worked on it, it is definitely something you did.
Don't feel bad, we have all done it, at least I have.

P. What 750 said.

[Hush]

On Hondas the green wires are earth wires and the black ones become "live" when the ignition is turned on.
Just mention that as some people think the black ones are earth wires because they don't appear live initially.

[Nikkisixx]

every time I hit the start button the headlight dims.
Josh

The headlight should go out when you hit the starter button - it is intended to help with starting.

[no718.com]

Hmmm? It's not my battery, recharged that overnight. No wires appear to be crossed. Is it possible my starter/kill control is bad? If it is how do I test it?

Thanks,
Josh
www.no718.com

[mystic_1]

Unplug the headlight to eliminate it's draw from the system, then with the key on carefully short across the starter solenoid's main terminals with a large screwdriver.  Starter should turn at a decent clip.  That'll eliminate the handlebar switch and wiring as a potential source of your issue.

mystic_1

[weekend_junkie]

Just to point out, you should get in the habit of NEVER EVER cutting wires.  If they are the stock signals, they unplug somewhere.  It'll make your motorcycling days a lot simpler.

Also, are you in the city?  I'm B&T from Hoboken, always nice to meet a neighbohr.

[no718.com]

Hey B&T thanks for the advice i will definitely heed going fwd. Yeah, actually i'm across the water from you in staten island.