Motorcycle Repair: wiring, turn signal switch, turn signals

Question
I recently bought a 1984 xlx sportster. It has some issues that need dealt with. One problem is that the the low beam and odometer light, turn signals and horn do not work. The high beam and brake light and tail light work fine. Is this a wiring problem with a possible short somewhere?

Answer
Hi Bob,

Always check the fuses and bulbs first
and then see if the power is getting to the wires.

The low beam might be a bulb filament,
loose wire or fault in the dimmer switch.

Turn signals may be bad bulbs, bad flasher
or turn signal switch.

There should be power to the flasher
and from there it goes to the signal switch
and onward to the lights.

Check the ground wire connections also.
Look for any bad or loose wiring.

The horn is often a broken wire, button
or poor ground.

Get a test light and check the grounds
with the light connected to the
positive battery post.
Connect the light to the negative post
to check for power on relevant wires.

It just takes some time and lots of tape! ;)

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