QuestionI am bringing a 1975 Honda 360 scrambler back from the dead. It had sat for 20+ years (since 1979 judging by the last valid city sticker and inspection). 3900 miles. Neither turn signal worked until I cleaned the selector switch on the handlebars. now the left turn signal works good, but it seems to blink a little bit slow (but HEY it works) the problem is the right signal it will light up now,(didn't before cleaning) in front and rear but does not blink. Is there a left and right blinker on this bike? How can the signal blink if both bulbs are good and working but just won't blink, but the left side does blink well?
May be more cleaning in the handlebar swith is needed?
motor is running fine. Starts with one or two kicks, or a quick push of the start button. has all fuses (all 3) battery has good charge. brake light is staying on all the time, because of bad rear brake switch. But I "think" I can fix that. I don't see how that could be affecting this issue. The turn signal has me scratching my head.
AnswerLewis.... the turn signal circuit is fairly simple but needs attention to the correct bulbs, clean bulb contacts in the base and a very good clean ground to complete the circuit.
Basics... BATTERY... IGN SWITCH..ON power goes to the FLASHER UNIT (silver box with black and gray wires), usually located next to battery. Power goes through the flasher to the t/s switch center wire. Selection of L & R sides routes power to the F&R t/s bulb filaments. 360s have running lights in front, so running lights also have power when switch is ON. From the bulb filaments, the power goes to the ground at the base of the bulb, which grounds to the signal assembly housing, which is grounded to the wiring harness or the chassis.
You can trace the power through the circuit with a cheap 12v test light from auto parts store. Be sure the bulbs are correct, sockets are clean and all ground leads are connected properly. The t/s switch does have to be clean inside for proper contact to select either side.
Brake lights can stay on due to a broken front brake lever switch plunger and/or the rear brake switch being out of adjustment. Adjust the rear brakes FIRST, then screw the switch in/out until the light turns off. If there is no change when you pull the plunger of the rear switch in/out then the front switch is probably to blame. Broken switch plungers on the front are common.
Be sure the battery is fully charged before you start troubleshooting. If volts drop down around 11-12, the signals will stop flashing.
Bill Silver
