Dodgy Ground/Earth?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I would not be surprised if you don't find the problem right there in the dash. I would look there first, and check for anything that might cause this. Maybe just move the wires around a bit to see if the problem goes away. Look everything over closely for any tell tale problems. Does it blink the neutral light with it both in gear and in neutral?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Give in to the dark side, Mr "we brought the world Lucas electronics" GR 
Check your battery earth connection too, sir. Mine got loose with the incessant vibration that our single cams are prone to. And the fact that I hooked up a number of accessory plugs to the battery.
Check your battery earth connection too, sir. Mine got loose with the incessant vibration that our single cams are prone to. And the fact that I hooked up a number of accessory plugs to the battery.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 67
From: Hooterville, Fl.
Dale, Our alike bikes have the same tweaks. I have to tighten my ground cable on my battery about every 3 months. It helps to use external star washers on all the grounds, but still that battery ground loosens up on me.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I would not be surprised if you don't find the problem right there in the dash. I would look there first, and check for anything that might cause this. Maybe just move the wires around a bit to see if the problem goes away. Look everything over closely for any tell tale problems. Does it blink the neutral light with it both in gear and in neutral?
Only when in neutral. I was reminded of this 'problem' after fitting my brand spanking new battery, my smart new LED lights and mini-beast horn (have I mentioned them?!), exhaust etc and running the engine for the first time in months. I still have a few tasks to do before starting to ride it in earnest.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Give in to the dark side, Mr "we brought the world Lucas electronics" GR
Check your battery earth connection too, sir. Mine got loose with the incessant vibration that our single cams are prone to. And the fact that I hooked up a number of accessory plugs to the battery.
Check your battery earth connection too, sir. Mine got loose with the incessant vibration that our single cams are prone to. And the fact that I hooked up a number of accessory plugs to the battery.
I have just measured up my main battery leads, with a view to ordering some from Yooper. The battery ends are fine, especially with my new battery, but the other ends have probably not been disturbed for years.
I'm accumulating quite a list here!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
I check the battery connections every month and tighten them a bit if needed. Always worried about stripping the threads on the battery. Don't think loctite would help, but I have been tempted to try it.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Ah, if only! I've lost touch with a magician on these things, a telephone system engineer by day. I had a BMW pushrod twin years ago, with an intermittent problem. When indicating right the engine would sometimes stutter, or even cut out. That is the equivilent of your turning left, across traffic. We spent a very long time, with him tracing different theories, until we came across a pair of male and female spade connectors, in a protective sleeve, which were not engaged, but side-by-side. Pushed them together correctly and problem solved!
I need Samanatha the witch, to waggle her nose....
I'll try and tackle it over the weekend.
I need Samanatha the witch, to waggle her nose....
I'll try and tackle it over the weekend.
Whilst replacing the Steer. Head Bearings recently I removed the Bat Wing Fairing. Because they(the elec.connectors) were all disconnected,I decided to take a look at ALL THE CONNECTORS within the Fairing.
What a shock/surprise......almost all the Connectors needed cleaning (WD40) and re.lubing. Evey connector had a "furry" coating.
After re-fitting everything I found that my Direction lights/Indicators are working perfectly and cancelling automatically. This after me previously buying 2 used and 1 new Module to solve on & off cancelling problems.
The point I am making is this.....It is well worth the time & effort to disconnect, inspect, clean & electric lube as many of these Connectors as you can.
Happy riding. Bungo.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I have to admit this is pretty weird Graham. If it is anything like the later bikes, the grounds are all tied together for the neutral switch and the turn signals and tail light. The + side of the neutral indicator and the oil pressure indicator lights are both fed from the same place from a fuse, and are tied together at the indicator lights. If I was there with my VOM, I could tell you in a couple of minutes where the problem is, I think. LOL. Although I have scratched my head over these problems before finding that it was very simple in the end. One other question, does the neutral indicator go completely out, or does it just get dimmer and brighter when it blinks?
What BungoBill said above might be a good place to look also, most certainly if you have had one of the connecting plugs apart. Right now I would say you have a bad ground from the neutral switch, and it is getting it's ground back through the turn signals. If you run another ground wire from your neutral switch to a good ground on the bike frame, it should stop blinking. You could do this with a jumper to check if it is not to hard to get to. If that does not work, you maybe have a bad connector somewhere from the neutral switch to the indicator light. Hope this helps. Oh, One other question. When the turn signals are off does the neutral light stay on solid like it supposed to?
What BungoBill said above might be a good place to look also, most certainly if you have had one of the connecting plugs apart. Right now I would say you have a bad ground from the neutral switch, and it is getting it's ground back through the turn signals. If you run another ground wire from your neutral switch to a good ground on the bike frame, it should stop blinking. You could do this with a jumper to check if it is not to hard to get to. If that does not work, you maybe have a bad connector somewhere from the neutral switch to the indicator light. Hope this helps. Oh, One other question. When the turn signals are off does the neutral light stay on solid like it supposed to?
Last edited by Jim Kraft; Apr 23, 2011 at 01:27 PM. Reason: added info
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Thanks chaps. My batwing is actually an old glass-fibre one and has nothing in it at all, the bike underneath it being an FLHS. Also it predates fuses and has a battery of thermal cutouts. However the suggestion of pulling apart all the connectors is great, helped by my recent purchase of one of those modern electrical lubricant things.
Jim, the neutral light just gets dimmer and brighter when it blinks. It doesn't go out completely. My neutral switch has only one wire going to it, so is presumably earthed/grounded through the strap under the trans? We're at home tomorrow, if you're free!
A further complication is that my bike is an International model, for which there is no wiring diagram! The diagrams in the service manual are not much help at all.
Jim, the neutral light just gets dimmer and brighter when it blinks. It doesn't go out completely. My neutral switch has only one wire going to it, so is presumably earthed/grounded through the strap under the trans? We're at home tomorrow, if you're free!
A further complication is that my bike is an International model, for which there is no wiring diagram! The diagrams in the service manual are not much help at all.