Urgent: Headlamp Failure Mid-Ride

[Mendizale]

Hello,

Writing this from my phone. In the middle of nowhere and my headlamp (hi and low) and my console lights have turned off. Assuming fuse problem. Also assuming there's a spare fuse on the bike, but can only see by phone-light. Any help on what might be wrong, where to find fuse, how to install would be great.

Help appreciated,
Mendizale


Note: Lack of preparation will never happen again (I hope).

[cywelchjr]

The headlight fuse would be under the right side cover. There won't be a spare under normal stock situation, but you may be able to rig something, or it might just be loose if it's the stock fuse box and moving the fuse around might make it work. Otherwise you might have to try and find something foil like to bridge the fuse with until you get get somewhere to get a fuse. If you have the TC fusebox it has room for a couple of spare fuses, and I carry one of each as a spare in mine.

[jwhughes3]

hope you made it home ok...

I didn't see a follow up yet...

Sorry to hear you had such a catastrophic failure, but that was probably the most inopportune hence the time it would happen.

In my fork toolbag I used to carry a flashlight and chemlights.

Now without the bag I have the chemlights in my vests back pocket for emergency. $2 and always ready. Might also tape behing side cover - I duct taped fuses and zipties on one side of mine.

John

[Mendizale]

Thanks for the response--any idea which fuse it would be?

[jwhughes3]

i am not home to look

my memory is not sure - i need to see my bike and i am not home - not that that helps you 6 hours later

hope you got home safe.

john

[Mendizale]

Hi,

I finally got it sorted, just before my phone died. I did have a spare 20a fuse that I was able to pop in for the burnt out 10a. Now I need to get spares to replace them.

Really, thanks for your help! Also, while I'm on here, is this indicative of some kind of fault in the wiring, or do fuses just burn out from time to time? IE, should I simply get replacements this time and hope for the best, or should I inspect things in some way?

Mendi

[CatatonicBug]

Thanks for the response--any idea which fuse it would be?

It's one of the 10A fuses. On mine, it's the one connected to the red/yellow wire.

If you haven't done it yet, I strongly suggest that you swap out the old fuse block for a modern, spade style block. TC sells a very nice setup for very cheap. All you add are the fuses. Here's a link to the thread.

Always keep extra fuses on the bike. I have an old altoids tin that I keep in my saddlebag, with a few of each size.

[Mendizale]

Anybody know if burnt fuse implies some kind of fault in the wiring, or do fuses just burn out from time to time? IE, should I simply get replacements this time and hope for the best, or should I inspect things in some way?

[cywelchjr]

Hi,

I finally got it sorted, just before my phone died. I did have a spare 20a fuse that I was able to pop in for the burnt out 10a. Now I need to get spares to replace them.

Really, thanks for your help! Also, while I'm on here, is this indicative of some kind of fault in the wiring, or do fuses just burn out from time to time? IE, should I simply get replacements this time and hope for the best, or should I inspect things in some way?

Mendi

If you have the original glass fuses, they will go bad just from the heat from the clips not holding tight anymore. You MUST either find replacement clips for the OEM box (someone found a source for clips that work so you CAN fix it up almost like new) or replace it with a more modern style box using blade type fuses, much less likely to have trouble, and most come with enough positions that you will have spare slots to carry extra fuses in just in case anyways. Even 22 years ago, my XS400 which shares pretty much the same fuse box, had trouble with fuses, and it was only like 5-6 years old then? Thats how poor quality the fuse boxes on these things are. For how good these bikes are for the most part, the fuse box is practically an afterthought.