Topic: HELP! 72 CB500 stuck at side of highway, fuse just melted...

[smileswithadimple]

Hi all lookin for some quick help, my bike just died on the side of the highway.  The plastic housing melted.  Its a 72 cb500.  It is a 20amp fuse in it.  Is that what's suppossed to be in there?

[GammaFlat]

I think 15 is the max you should have.  Did the fuse blow?  Could you get "cooled down" and get going?  You're probably getting the fuse housing hot for a number of reasons but one of them is how hard the fuse holder clamps down on the fuse.  Bend it a little (inward) so it clamps on the fuse harder and clean the surface where it contacts the fuse (maybe with a key).  You probably have other issues but the game now is to get to your destination safely without wrecking anything.  You have to somehow make sure the mangled fuse holder does not ground out.  Do you have any tools (10mm) to remove the fuse holder?

The same thing happened on my K7 and I just got it cooled down and replaced the fuse (mine did blow but I had a spare). 

[smileswithadimple]

Fuse looks blown.  Looks moist inside, like condensation.  U think I can hardwire and go? Thanks a million for quick response!

[asom]

don't leave the bike!

[asom]

good luck.

[smileswithadimple]

Yup its the fuse, I touch both wires and there's power.  So is it safe to ride 1 mile with hardwired?

[Spanner 1]

If you have to twist the two wires together that go to each side of the fuse except 'tease' out 4 of the strands on one wire and twist the end to the other wire.... the 4 strands only connected = 15/20A fuse, good luck......

[smileswithadimple]

Thanks spanner! Got the bike to walmart, so, do I need 15 or 20 fuse?

[GammaFlat]

15 is probably spec.  If you're trying to get home you might replace it with a 20 but expect to go back to 15 for a more permanent setup

buy a handful - you might not be done blowing fuses today

[GammaFlat]

you might be able to prevent some of the heating by cleaning the surfaces that grab the fuse and bending them a bit so they have a tighter grip on the fuse.  Those two problems are probably causing resistance which his making heat, which is making more resistance, which then gets hotter, etc.  Do things to prevent the heat... less resistance... clean surfaces, tighter grip

Later, you can address the green wire to the frame which is often a problem.  Other issues are the connectors between then fuse holder and harness and then the engine and harness.

[smileswithadimple]

Thanks all! I really appreciate it! I bought a bunch of 15's. Thx!

[oldhondarider]

I just jumped on here (west coast).....

Can I just jump in here and say... how awesome that tread was... members helping members....  now I don't want to get in to the whole "halmark moment" stuff....

just wanted to say that the quick help was very nice to see.

[flybox1]

You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda 

[smileswithadimple]

I could not agree more!!!  I super appreciate the help, getting me out of that jam.  I will be making a donation to the site tonight!  Thanks to all!!!

[westondc]

did you figure out the cause of the problem?

[333]

If you don't find the cause, you'll go through that pack of fuses real fast.  I  suggest checking the water in the battery first.  Then clean the battery cable ends, regardless of how clean they look.

[smileswithadimple]

Yeah I figured it out right when I pulled my side cover.  The fuse holder had bare wire exposed outside of the holder, and I think it vibrated loose and shorted.  I bought a pack of fuses in 15a and electric tape and wraped everything up.  Looks to be good as I got home ok and nothing felt warm.  I will change to an ATC fuse/holder soon though.  Again thanks for the help and support all!