Motorcycle Repair: Xr turn signals, halogen bulbs, honda xr250

Question
Chris I bought a 96 Honda xr250. The bike runs no battery and has aftermarket headlight and blinkers. The headlight is always on and consists of 2 12v50w halogen bulbs, 1 for low and 1 for high. The blinkers work fine when the bike is idling over but when the revs are increased they neither flash nor illuminate, the headlight continues to work with increased revs. Could the problem be the rectifier/regulator or something else? Checked all connections and nothing loose

Answer
Hi Barry.

It could be the reg/rec but there could also be a short or ground in the signal wiring that is only affected by higher voltage.  I know it sounds odd, but you would be amazed at the things that I have seen go wrong on bike electrical systems.

if the insulation is worn thin or worn out anywhere on the wiring that comes in contact or very close proximity to any point on the bike that is a good ground (frame, engine, etc.) then it could be arcing and grounding out.  This could also blow fuses, but not always.

Look for shorts, worn/broken wiring insulation and test the reg/rec as per the manual's test proceedures.

Check it out and see what you find.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON