As regulars here probably recognise, most of what I tinker with on my bike is mechanical. There is a good reason for that, which is that electrics are rather like a dark art in my mind! I can add electrics, like my intercom and fog lights, but if something mysterious happens I can be instantly stumped!

It is months since I last ran my bike, something I put right in the last couple of days. Doing so, and checking the operation of all the lights, reminded me my neutral light winks when my indicator lights are working. Now I can imagine that is a dodgy ground somewhere (we call it 'earth' here on the UK, just to translate that!) which may be causing that. Can anyone point me in the right direction, please?

 

Look under your seat, side covers, and in your headlight/front fork area. that's where most grounds hang out!! I would start in the headlight/front fork area.

 

Yup, what he said
and what you said
I hate electrical... do it, but hate it!

 

You should have a ground from the handlebars to the bike frame at the neck. This breaks on a regular basis and may be the problem.

Yes, I do realize the bars are connected to the stem, but remember the stem sits in grease and bearings.

Try there, then in the headlight bucket, another weak ground(earth) connection.

This is just a guess, make sure the ground between the indicator lights are all clean and properly attached ie: none of the hot wires are touching a ground wire or none of the ground wires are touching the hot wires at that location. HD loves to tie thing in series to save on the high cost of wiring :-)

DC electricity is a flow, electrons flow from earth(ground) to the positive(+) side of the battery. It has to make this circuit in order to do work. The work is a side trip to any electrical component. Remember it HAS to make that round trip. Now look for a short cut the little electrons are taking between the direction indicator and neutral indicator lights back to the + battery terminal. This could also be a dead spider somewhere in the handlebar controls(yes I do mean insect) or bee.

 

Thanks chaps, just got back from successfully getting the bike through its annual roadworthy check, so we are ready to ride!

As well as owning Harleys for many years I have also enjoyed the delights of several MZ 2-strokes. They specialised in black magic electrics, according to a friend who knows these things, as if they took 'short cuts' for granted!

And I do have a resident spider. It came out from under the seat to watch while I was tidying things ready for this morning's inspection!

I can see I am going to have to boldly go to places I would rather stay away from, so spare me a thought! I may be some time.

 

We got faith in ya buddy!

 

Just run a wire to the "Earth" and let it drag for a ground.


Sorry, I couldn't help from being a smarta$$

 

Oh dear!

Well done!

Electrickery is just that! I need to brace myself before making a start....

 

Graham, I am also electrically challenged, just do what I do...........
Find a mate who is electrically gifted and promise them beer or whatever.

 

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.