Motorcycle Repair: Blinker problem, filament bulb, high beams

Question
I just bought a 1985 Honda Shadow 500.  The blinkers intermittently won't work.  Often times if the horn is honked, they will work for awhile again (a few hours or maybe a day).  I bought a used switch and installed all the wires to the headlamp assembly--no change.  I then bought a used blinker relay--no change.  Now that is cold outside they won't blink at all even if the horn is honked.  The opposite signal light remains on as a running light, but the signal called for is out when the switch is on.

Answer
Dale... The front signals are combined running lights and turn signal indicators, so both must have an equivalent 1157 type of two filament bulb. Rears are single filament types.
If you put the high beams on, both running lights should go out temporarily, until low beam is selected again.

So, first get both fronts to light up on running lights. Check them for going off on high beam switching. Once that is all good, then select left and right sides. If bulbs light and don't blink, then either there are bad connections to the lamps or the grounding is incomplete.

If you have full battery voltage into the signal switch and flasher, then the problem is defective grounding and/or wrong/blown bulbs.

Bill Silver