headlight/gauge lights out

[bikerhawk]

I just noticed that my headlight AND gauge lights aren't coming on when the bike fires. The "headlight out" light on the panel isn't lighting up to indicate a bad headlight. A search of the forum led to three possibilities: bad charging, headlight relay, or reserve lighting unit. I just checked the charging system and it's fine, so I guess the relay is next to check--of course, right after I topped off the 6.3 gallon tank on the H.

Thoughts?

[John]

Don't forget to check the fuse! That powers up the relay then on to the reserve lighting unit (RLU), and it powers up the instrument lights seperately from the headlight circuit. In other words the wire from the headlight fuse splits off, and one wire feeds the relay, and the other one feeds the instrument lamps. Or at least that's what the Clymer manual wiring schematic says for the 81 with the MONSTER fuel tank. By the way when the RLU is functioning properly, the indicator light should glow dimly when the bike is running.

[Jdwags]

One thing you could do is get a special tank, so when you have to take it off to work on the bike, it isn't so heavy....

(ducking and running for cover)

[rover]

Sounds to me like your fuse is either blown or the fuse holders are not making contact with the fuse. I had problems with both of my 79's, so I got a 5 unit fuse box that uses the newer blade fuses. It is made by littlefuse, and I found mine at Mills Fleet Farm, but hardware or automotive stores should carry them. Mine costs about $12.00, and it comes with a clear plastic cover. The original had four circuits, and the extra one is great for carrying a spare fuse, and there is also enough room for a fuse puller inside the cover. It is a small compact unit that will bolt right up to the mounting plate for the original. The original wires are long enough to solder to the new unit. Very easy and permanent fix. Do one wire at a time so you don't get them mixed up. Best of luck, Rover

[Dragonrider]

If it is the relay/circuit it works like this:

Bike starts, seperate feed from alternator triggers the headlight latching relay.

There is a diaod in the line that triggers the headlight relay (the white wire I think). That stuoid thing is in the harness somewhere and I never found mine. It went bad, and I no longer had any alternator feed to the trigger of the relay. Altenator was still working, but just could not trigger the relay.

I bypassed the relay . . . now the headlight comes on with the key . . . bike starts just fine . . . was never sure why they felt the need to make it so complicated . . .

Still running strong (with a new owner). Me on the Valk and my friend on "Well Oiled Machine (80 Midnight) rode to Huntsville and back yesterday (+ some sightseeing). Did about 500 miles for the day AND got to eat steak!

Good luck!

[bikerhawk]

Thanx for the input, and glad to see WOM still getting out, hopefully controlling its fluids a bit better now.

While I'm thinking about it...I was in a Barnes & Noble in Valparaiso, Indiana, visiting family last Wednesday, and guess what I saw on the shelf?? That's right, kids, our resident author's work, "Life is a Road, The Soul is a Motorcycle." Pretty cool to see it there!! I've written a handful of pieces of music that have been played and recorded in this area, and I have a friend that is a great up-and-coming young composer...it's always neat to see or hear either my stuff or works by people I know being used and hopefully enjoyed (or so they at least tell me to my face...).

[Dragonrider]

Way cool to know it's on the shelf somewhere!

Thanks!

[skids]

Re: headlight/gauge lights out

With a tank that big, you can ride all day and not need to ride at night!

Originally posted by bikerhawk
[B The "headlight out" light on the panel isn't lighting up to indicate a bad headlight. A search of the forum led to three possibilities: bad charging, headlight relay, or reserve lighting unit. I just checked the charging system and it's fine, so I guess the relay is next to check--of course, right after I topped off the 6.3 gallon tank on the H. [/B]

[bikerhawk]

True, if I were getting decent mileage, but I'm only in the upper 20s right now (see other thread--'81 H main jets). The reserve is also pretty big on those tanks, IIRC--1.7 sticks in my head, but I don't remember for sure. I do know that the couple of times I've had to switch to reserve, I've put in around 4.5-4.7 gallons just a few miles later. The best I've done before reserve is around 145 miles. At least it's got more range than a Special!

[skids]

If you do not care about keeping it stock and you want switchable lights, write me and I will help you with instructions for installing a handlebar switch (about 14.00), and an automotive electrical relay. You can even bypass the reserve lighting box if it is bad.

sidskids @ earthlink.net

[bikerhawk]

I finally got around to pulling the tank after running it low, and after following the diagnostics in the factory manual, it looks like the headlight relay is bad. Does anyone have a spare, or how much can I expect to spend at the dealer (provided they can get one)? Or...Danny, how did you bypass yours??