Hi all - my Royal Star (1969) has indicators fitted. Was out in the bike yesterday & I noticed that on use the front indicators were very bright and the rear indicators very dim. I could also see that on the front indicators if the left one was on as well as being bright the right front indicator could also be seen flashing very dimly & vice versa. The amp meter also seems to be showing a large drop when any of the indicators are used.
Any advice on where I should start to look for a fault? Bulbs, bad earth, wiring, indicator unit?
Many thanks
Hi,
Definitely sounds like a bad earth. If they had been working OK before then something may have come loose.
Dave.
i read it and the first thing i thought was bad earth or a bulb playing up
Thanks all for the replies. Have now obtained new bulbs & will try that first at weekend. If it comes to trying to find a bad earth will need to read up a bit as not too sure how to go about that.
try the 'wiggle the wires' test first
Hi,
Initially a piece of wire bared at both ends and long enough to reach from the indicators to the battery will do. Attach one end of the wire to the earth side of the battery and with the cover off, operate the indicator. Touch the other end of the wire to a screw holding the bulb holder in place. Assuming that the screw is clean this will establish an earth directly back to the battery. The indicator should work properly and be bright. With the indicator still operating move take the wire away from the screw. If nothing changes then the earth is good but if the bulb goes dim then the earth is poor. Repeat this for the other indicators and good idea of the earthing will emerge. Also, remove each bulb and ensure that the touch points on the bulb and holder are clean and that the insides of the bulb holder are clean - this how the bulbs make contact for the earth.
It could be that there is bit of corrosion at a mounting point so a bit cleaning will help. Ideally run an earth wire from the indicators at least to an earthing point on the frame or ideally back to the battery or to where the battery is earthed on the frame.
Dave.