CG125 - Electrical Problems

[DynamiteBoy]

Hi Everyone, being new to biking I have decided to buy a cheap run-around before moving onto my DAS. The bike in question is a 'L' reg (94) Honda CG125....12 volt electrics.

As the bike was standing for almost 12 months I have replaced the Spark plug, air filter foam, oil and battery. I have taken the bike out on several occasions in our lovely weather without major problems.

Questions:
When key is turned to ignition (on) should i be able to turn my main headlight on - as I am able to do on my car. I am able to use indicators/horn and rear light with key turned but engine dead.

My main headlight only works when the engine is running and splutters if idleing...Also my clock backlights never light up.

Im thinking that maybe i have blown a fuse somewhere... if anyone can help i would be very grateful. Dont know if this helps but the bike is also difficult to start, couple of kicks and only with choke off (down), have to rev throttle slightly... Thanks, Ow

[Davo]

Sounds as though the battery is knackered. Does the brightness change according to the revs?

[veeeffarr]

Hi,

This is normal, the lights/horn on the bike cannot be activated until the engine on the bike is running.

The headlight will splutter at idle, but will light up when the engine is revved.

It sounds like the bulb has gone on your dash light, I don't know how to replace this, but shouldn't be expensive.

Hold the throttle open a tiny bit while you kick the bike over. Mine doesn' t start on full choke either.

[DynamiteBoy]

Thanks for the quick replys guy's....the battery is brand new and charged. Yes the light becomes brighter when revved, someone told me i could blow the bulb. I just assumed that the headlight would be able turn on without the engine running, seems strange that everything else electrical works just off the battery.

The problems assosiated with starting are most probably down to me playing with the carb when i first bougt the bike - i thought that 'up' was off and 'down' was on for the choke. I played with the carb's pilot and mixture screws now the bike wont start unless the choke is fully off. Serves me right for playing around...Does anyone now how much it would cost to have a CG125 carb balanced?

[veeeffarr]

[stinkwheel]

Just for your information. The headlamp and tail light are powered by AC electricity directly from the alternator of the bike while the flashers and brake light run on DC electricity from the battery. This is called 'direct lighting' and is common on older designs of small bikes.

The alternator only produces electricity when it is being spun round by the motor, this is why the headlamp only comes on when the engine is running. This is also why it is not at full brightness when the engine is ticking over slowly.

Yes the headlamp is really supposed to be that pathetic and dim before you ask, 'they're all like that mate'

If you look at the back of your instrument clucter, you will see several round rubber bungs about the size of a 5p with two wires running into each. If you look carefully, you will notice that the position of these corresponds with the various lights in the clocks (flasher, neutral, hi beam).

One or two of them do not appear to be underneath one of the warning lights. This is where the speedo back light is. Pull out the rubber bung, the bulb is on the other end of it.
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[shammon]

If you clock light is very poor all the time and if it flickers your headlight bulb may need changing, once i did mine it was like new!
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