I have a blinker problem...

tippinwa · Post by **tippinwa** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:46 am

I am restoring a 1967 305CL and have everything I need to get it going. However, I have an electrical problem with the turn indicators I cannot resolve. Only the RR indicator flashes. I have checked grounds on the other three, confirmed the flashing cannister is working, cleaned and polished all connectors, checked the bulbs with a 12v wire to the terminal with the side against the engine (the light came on), confirmed the handlebar switch is working correctly, and I have disconnected in the headlight EVERYTHING on the bike - horn, bright & dim headlight, tail, and brake light and the brakelight switch. All those work fine when connected but now no power is going to any of those circuits so there is no ground in those wires. I put a wire outside of the harness and connected the RR indicator directly to the RF indicator and ran the power from the flashing unit directly to the connection between those two indicators, yet the only flash is the RR indicator - the RF indicator will not flash yet it is directly connected to the RR indicator which is flashing. I removed the RF indicator and went from the flasher connector to the RR, and connected the LR directly to the RR indicator and the LR still will not flash when the RR is flashing. Restoration is "finished" (except for tank & fender painting) but I won't attempt a start until I know there is not an electrical problem. Does anyone have an idea where I am going wrong?

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:04 pm

You say you checked the grounds for the other 3 indicators. How did you confirm that the shell of the indicator has a good ground connection to the frame? I ask this because your flasher relay is working and none of the bulbs are blown so the problem should be between the handlebar switch and the bulbs or between the bulbs and ground.

If your wiring is the same as the CB77, there should be a blue (right side) and an orange (left side) wire coming from the handlebar switch into the headlight bucket where they connect to the front and rear indicators.

If you unplug the blue wire for the front indicator and jumper it straight to the positive battery terminal, the right front bulb should light. If not, there is no power getting through the blue wire to the bulb, the bulb really is at fault, or there is no connection from the bulb to the frame.

Let me know what you find.

tippinwa · Post by **tippinwa** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:27 pm

I removed each turn indicator shell and cleaned the bulb holder and the end of the shell where it bolts onto the fork bracket and I cleaned the inside of the shell where the bolt extends through the shell into the hole on the fork/light. Then I did a ohm-check to ensure good ground. As a backup, I used a jumper from the frame of the turn indicator to an engine fin. I am confident there is good ground at each indicator.

The wiring you describe is correct. Some of the other wiring colors are not correct because this is a "Japanese" Honda, and not an "American Export Honda." I thought they were the same, but they are not. I went to Japan in 1967 and bought this CL77 and shipped it back to Anchorage, Alaska where I watched it come off the boat. I assembled it on the pier, borrowed some gasoline from a forklift, fired the thing up and drove it to Fairbanks, Alaska. I have more sense that to do that now. Gasoline stations are far apart in Alaska, and a couple of times I coasted into the station.

I like your idea of going from the light to the battery. I'll try that. If it comes on, that will confirm ground, positive continuity, and the light works.

The bike has been in storage for 20 years and I suspect when I reassembled it a month ago that I have made a mistake in wiring in the headlight, but that's just a guess. Grasping at straws. I think that someplace I am sending 12v either into the frame, or down a ground wire which would prevent flashers from working. But if that is the case, why does only the RR flash? All of them should flash or all fo them should not flash. This has really got me whipped.

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:46 pm

I don't think it's going to be as tough to sort out as you suspect. For one thing, you do have power going from ignition to the flasher and through it to the center part of the handlebar switch. And when you flick the switch for right side lights, the power goes down the light blue (I said blue before) wire in the handlebars to the connector in the bucket where it joins with the light blue going back to the right rear light. All that part of the circuitry seems to be working.

e3steve · Post by **e3steve** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:05 pm

Prove each component in turn. Since you have all except RF, swap the RF bullet with the LF inside the headlamp bucket and see if that makes the RF work with the switch in the 'L' position.

Wilf · Post by **Wilf** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:22 pm

e3...If I'm reading his initial post correctly, he has none except for the right rear.

e3steve · Post by **e3steve** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:33 pm

Ah, yes. I just re-read. Thanks Wilf. Proving each in turn still is the way to go, though.

tippinwa, attach a length of wire to the batt + and prove each light in turn. If none, other than the RR lights up, then I'd suspect an internal problem within those errant lights' lampholders; if they do work then I suggest a problem within the orange & l/blue wires in the harness.

Take the RR off its bracket and bolt it into the other 3 locations in turn.