Electrics

[ScottK]

So I am putting my '79 back together after getting the frame powder coated, engine is out of the frame all electrics reinstalled. I would like to make sure everything work sans alternator but all I can get is the tail light to illuminate, no dash lights no turn signals no headlight. Horn functions as do brake lights. I can hear the starter solenoid click when the start button is depressed. My question is why can't I get headlights or turn signal function? Thanks ahead

 

[Jim]

Headlight and dash light are run through a "safety relay." That's energized by the alternator output. So without the engine running, they won't come on.
No idea on the turns...

 

[5twins]

Make sure the ground(s) is/are good. If you had the frame powder coated, you may need to clean some of that off where the ground eyelet from the harness connects. It's usually to one of the coil mounts .....

To help insure I get good ground connections, I polish the eyelet with a little wire wheel in a Dremel until it shines, clean the paint off the frame where it's connecting, and finally, I liberally coat the eyelet and the spot on the frame with copper anti-seize. Along with warding off corrosion, I think the copper bits suspended in the anti-seize help make a good connection. Make sure the negative battery cable is well grounded too .....

A bad ground can cause all sorts of weird electrical issues.

 

[ScottK]

Also the wiring diagram shows two condensers for this bike and it has only one.

 

[Tiggertoo]

The condensors are both fitted at the ends of the same "tube", hence the 2 leads coming from it.

 

[ScottK]

cool, thanks