1984 CT70 Lighting issue

J

Junior681

Member
Hey folks. Perhaps a more thorough search would have helped but I’m going to farm this freshly to the pros.

1984 CT70... factory headlight and turn signals, new tail light from a 70s model.

The bike has a brand new battery (literally bought and installed today) and when I use it I have the following electrical symptoms.

The headlight on “Lo” doesn’t turn on whatsoever.. when on “Hi” it turns on but I haven’t ridden it in the dark yet to know if it’s like it was before the restoration.

The speedometer light is not functioning.

The “signal” dash indicator functions however seems like it’s dim

The “neutral” dash light not functioning

The signal bulbs turn on solid and do not flash when the switch is activated.

The brake light shines as bright as the North Star, however does not brighten when either brake lever is depressed.

many advice on where to start on this one?

Thanks!

Chris

*Attached a photo just to see that everything is the factory lighting and the tail light is a replica light of an earlier model. Everything is still 6v by the way.
 

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hrc200x

hrc200x

Active Member
Nice looking custom. Don't have much experience with the turn signals but from what I've read they need good voltage, correct watt bulbs and of course a good working flasher relay. Does the horn, tail light, and brake light work with engine not running and just off battery power? The headlight and I believe dash lights only work when engine starts. Verify grounds are clean as it looks like new paint. As for the brake light, do you have the brake light wire on the brake light side of the wiring plugged into the tail light plug in on the main harness? The hi/low issue could be the switch not making a connection internally to send power to the low beam, that is easily tested by ohming the switch at the wires where they connect behind the headlight.

The 80s bikes are much more complex wiring wise compared to the KO's but still simple if you take your time and familiarize your self with a wiring diagram. A ohm meter and test light will be your best friend.
 
J

Junior681

Member
Thanks! That’s what I used, I feel you are right about the grounds and the blinker relay. Unfortunately i wasn’t looking forward to taking it apart again haha.
To answer your question, tail light turns on with the key, and I believe (I’ll check when it’s not 5 am and I’m out the door) that the signals turn on but don’t flash with no key)

I’ll have to check those grounds and go from there.

thanks!
 
kirrbby

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
Make sure your brake light switches are both working correctly while you're in there. One or both could be in a, always on, condition. That would have both elements lit in the rear, and rob power from everything else.
 
J

Junior681

Member
So with some help from mountain mini I got a couple things sorted.

signal lights still going solid, I ordered a new relay, should fix that.

brake light was “on” the entire time. Turns out the spring had hooked into the brake retractor spring and stuck the light on. Fixed and adjusted that and now lights and brake function work perfectly.
 
J

Junior681

Member
My speedometer gauge light doesn’t function at all, and the other two (signal and neutral) are on but dim. I feel pretty certain that’s a ground issue. I’ll tear that apart and size it up soon.

ordered a new bulb for the speedometer to replace when that time comes
 
J

Junior681

Member
Thanks again to those who have helped so far. Can someone assist me with how to test if I need a new flasher relay or if there Is another issue?
I have a multimeter just looking to make sure Power is getting to the flasher relay. I unfortunately need tinkerer one and don’t have a way to test by just dropping a new one in
 
J

Junior681

Member
I reviewed my wiring, looks like I have three grounds at the harness.. two of which I hve grounded to bare metal at the seat latch.. the third is on the headlight bucket.. that simply is not present.. so I made one. I haven’t installed it yet.
Does anything think that could cause all these lighting issues?
 
hrc200x

hrc200x

Active Member
If there is a way to test a flasher relay it might be in the manual, if you google search ct70 shop manual it should come up, or I think www.dratv.com has them listed under technical info on the left column. Trying to figure how it works in my head: If there is just two wires to the flasher I'd think one would be power in that should test light on steady when the switch is either in left or right turn, and the other power out when the flasher is telling the lights to flash, but the power out would be intermittent.

Bad grounds can do weird things on vehicles, I havn't experience many bad grounds on a bike, but it is possible thats part of the issue, either way can't hurt to help have it fixed as its there for a reason.

Sometimes dim lights are from the battery not being in the circuit. The horn, brake/tail lights, and neutral light should work with engine not running.
 
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