Motorcycle Repair: 1989 Yamaha xt 350 turn signal D/W, yamaha xt 350, flasher relay

Question
QUESTION: Hi!,

When I went to start my bike this spring the turn signal doesn't work-I asked and was told to take the swith apart and I did with no luck.  With a meter I got a very small DC voltage at the swith with the ignition on, engine off.  Without a manual what would you suggest?

ANSWER: JD,The turning switch is kind of a directional ground. Heres why, the bulbs complete the circuit that flows through the flasher. The flasher is a heat activated switch when enough electicity flows to the bulbs the flasher contacts build heat then break apart stopping the flow of electricity so the lights can shut off or flash if you will. These bikes dont put out much electricity so if the bulbs are'nt big enough to draw enough electricity the flasher wont work also the flasher relay itself can crap out and not work. Check out the flasher especially if the lights go on both sides but dont flash revving the engine to a higher RPM.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Gary-

A stupid question -how do I remove the seat on an XT 350 Yamaha-usually there is one bolt but I have yet to find it-

Answer
JD, Its been a while since I had worked on one. I kind of remember two bolts under the seat,one on each side under the lettering. There's also two bolts holding a strap around the top of the seat bolted under each side. I dont think you have to remove these but check them out any way. Sorry I cant be more specific, sometimes the physical attributes of some of the bikes have escaped me if I havent worked on one for a while.