Electric problems doing my head in

[MarkJ]

From what I've gathered, the bloke who had the Hornet before me did a few DIY jobs on it, one of which being the twin headlights. As some of you may remember I had a few problems with the bike at first, one of which was the elctrics with the lights and tacho, where when you turned the lights on the tacho needle would drop to 0. Turn the lights off and you get the needle back. I took it to a dealers who fixed it and I was a happy chappy.

Until today, when it started doing it again.

From what I could see its doing the same, except when I turn the lights on I now also get both the indicator lights on my dash on all the time!

What do you guys reccommend I do? If I phone the dealers that fixed the elctrics the first time round would to sort it again for free since it hasn't worked or would they argue it's worked fine for ages and it's my problem now? The bikes going in for an 8k Mile service at another shop next Thursday, should I ask them to do it, and if so how much would they charge extra?

Also on a side note, my front left indicator bulb keeps going, could this be due to the same problem, or is it something different, like the sealant I found? Link here.

[stinkwheel]

Sounds very like the symptoms of a bad earth connection, the current from the headlights can't get to earth easily and so it trying to earth itself backwards through some of the other bulbs.

Bet you whoever fitted the lights has tried to earth them onto the front subframe or yokes. These are only tenuously in contact with the rest of the frame due to insulation from rubber bushes and bearing grease. In other words, not a good place to earth an electrical circuit.

Check this out and if I am right, just run an earth wire right the way back to the battery or a proper frame earth point (like under one of the ignition coil bolts).
____________________
“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.

[doggone]

Yes ^ it's definitely to do with a bad earth so I think you may be best to investigate yourself.

[MarkJ]

[stinkwheel]

There is usually enough fuel lurking about in the float bowls to run the engine on tickover for a few minutes.

I have on old lawnmower petrol tank I can hang on the handlebars with a long bit of fuel line. Very handy if you are balancing carbs.
____________________
“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.