Kawasaki KLE 500 1991 electrics

zoombini · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 13 Jul 2020 Karma :

Heya lovely forum, I finally got a proper bike!

I went into my local garage to get some bolts to install a rack I purchased on the bay.

They said they would install it there and then for me for a small fee.

Usually I would avoid garages since I have a desire to learn how to do it myself (want to take the bike round the world one day) and limited resources, though I was eager to get it done and get off on an adventure during the hot weather.

Something goes wrong when they move the indicators onto the rack. Now they don't work and they are asking for a large fee to get my lights working.

They get my indicators working and took £120 off me but now my front light and fan are not working or at least the front light works when it wants to which is obviously not ideal if I want to head off wild camping.

I have done bits of electrics myself but I worry its a whole rewiring job which I feel a bit unconfident about.

I was wondering if any of you lovely people would be up for providing me some advice of where to start if it does come to rewiring the whole god damn thing - what cables, what tester etc. I have the manual and access to youtube but I still feel a bit uneasy about shredding it apart.

Or, I am based in Peckham and would be up for driving somewhere to receive some guidance. After what happened I really don't trust my local garage, or at least I cant afford them.

Much love and hope everyone is staying cool in the hot weather!

x

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

I'd have demanded that they fix the indicators they broke for free....
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Sprint ST 1050

zoombini · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 13 Jul 2020 Karma :

Yes I’m hindsight I should have done but I was watching the mechanic work and it did seem to be no fault of his own. Plus they broke it then asked me if I wanted it fixing and since I was due to pick up my partner at the airport that night I was left a bit stuck and not in the mood to fight.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'd start by checking for blown or loose fuses in the main fuse box. It's possible they created a short circuit when they moved the flashers or trapped a wire under something.

Also have a good look at the main 30A fuse and it's holder which are prone to corrosion on those bikes. The main fuse is on the side of the starter solenoid which you can find by following the big fat wire from the battery positive, the solenoid is on the other end of it. If the holder is all full of crumbly green corrosion, you may well have found your problem..
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

zoombini · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 13 Jul 2020 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

megaross · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Feb 2018 Karma :

I'd be checking for pinched wiring or loose connectors.

Also contact cleaner the connectors then pack with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion.

You can also bust out the multimeter on continuity mode. It's easy to check whether something is getting ground and if it is. You can then trace power back through the loom - I start from the fusebox and work forward.

It's not hard it's just methodical. It's not much different to finding a blockage in a water pipe except it's easier because you can test different points to say "Has it got any water in it?" (Electricity in the wire, in this instance)
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'07 Tiger 1050