Motorcycle Repair: 82 450 Nighthawk Turnsignals., filament bulbs, dual filament

Question
To Bill,

  I have a problem with my rear turn signals on my 82 nighthawk.  I have read through my Clymer and am still not able to figure this out.  The issue is that when i use my turn signal the front works just fine and the back lights up dim on both.  This is the same no matter which direction i choose.  I have looked at the lamps and they seem fine and the wiring seems ok.  I took the two 7amp fuses out and they both checked out with my meter.  I had a guess that the relay could be bad but then the front wouldn't work,  is this correct??  When i take one of the rear lamps out the entire system does not blink.  So it would seems like voltage is making it back there but maybe not the correct amount.  Any Ideas??  Thank you in advance for your input.  Also why I am asking.  Sometimes when i go to start the bike up i hit the switch and nothing happens.  To remedy this i grab the clutch a few times and then hit the button again and i am fine.   any ideas.  Thank you.


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Answer
Brandon....  when you have power to the turn signals and they are dim and/or don't flash, then the usual issue is the ground path back to the chassis/battery ground.

Make sure that you have the correct bulbs in the rear signals. The fronts have 1157 dual filament types, but the rears are single filament bulbs. If you remove the bulbs and check the voltage in the center contact in the turn signal light socket, it will be close to battery voltage (assuming you have a fully charged battery). If so, then your problem is the ground, either at the socket base or where the housings are grounded back to the frame.

http://www.oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php#class for wiring diagrams.

As far as the electric starting issue goes, there is a safety switch on the clutch lever bracket. If the plunger that contacts the lever is damaged. sticking or missing, then the starter circuit is blocked. The switch probably needs replacing, but check it with either an ohm/continuity meter (power off) or with volt meter (power on).

Bill Silver