Headlight issue

[dbeardslee]

Normally when I start old Betsy, the headlight comes on regardless of the position of the headlight switch on the right side of the handlebar. Last night I started her up and I had no headlight. I flipped the handlebar switch to the 'on' position and the headlight came on. Something evidently fried somewhere, but I'm at a loss as to where. Any ideas on where to look? Reserve lighting unit?

[AlanB]

Hi dbeardslee,

I am from the "wrong" continent, so not an expert, but as far as I knew, you should either have a switch, or a reserve unit...... not both?

My UK Standard has a switch..... the US SG has the RLU. I thought they were all like that??

AlanB

[HiGuy]

More Info

I'm still pretty new to all this but I did have quite the squirel chase all through my bike after several problems related to a relay and a mechanic cutting wires (I ahve already ranted about this mechanic and just keep finding problems with everything he touched). According to my manual you have both a switch and a relay if it is a S or just a relay if it is a F or SF ( I have a SF). You might want to start by checking the headlight indicator light to make sure it works. After that in the manual there is a trouble shooting guide line that you can check by making sure that power is going to the reserve lighting unit. Need to know however more about your bike.

[dbeardslee]

The plot thickens

Thanks for the replys. Higuy - I hear what you're saying about po's, but as far as I know Schleprock (Flintstones, circa 1971) never got his hands on this one . I did find a couple shorts in the wiring harness when I first got it, but fixed those months ago.

According to the fiche, the 'f' model does have a reserve lighting unit. I couldn't tell from the diagrams if it's supposed to have an on/off switch at the handlebar, but mine does. Who knows, after 29 years it may not be the original handlebar switch assembly.

Anyway, last night I started it up and the headlight started working normally - off when I first turn the ignition 'on' and then the light comes on when I hit the starter. Seems like I've got a short somewhere, or there is a part failing. Does the reserve lighting unit make the headlight come on when the starter is engaged, or is it something else?

If it ain't broke, modify it!

AlanB - I love that tag line!

[boyat68]

dbeardslee:

The reserve lighting unit serves two functions according to the manual.

1. It notifies the rider that one of the filaments of the head light is inoperative.

2. It switches the current from the inoperative filament to the functional filament.

The circuit is hooked only to the head light.

You have a head light relay that comes on automatically when you start the bike.

That relay's contacts can become corroded and cause trouble just like any relay. Also check the connections to ensure non corrosion.

[dbeardslee]

Boyat - That's what I was lookin' for. Thanks

[gixxer]

I have an 81H and the headlight always comes on after the bike starts, no switch except for Hi / Lo. One weird thing though, since we're talking about headlights, is that my headlight warning is always on. The hi / lo switch is working but bright / dim is on only one filament in the headlight. I assumed that the headlight was kaput so I replaced it but the new headlight is doing the same thing. Would the RLU cause this behavior if there was a broken circuit for either the high or low beams?