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Hi, I got the battery in my bike today and tested the lights and horn and whatnot. when I turn the key on the headlight and front signals come on but the rear taillight and signals do not. both signals work when the signal switch is on front and rear and the brakelight comes on from the foot and handbrake. did I cross some wires in the headlight bucket when I put this thing back together or what??

First of all,the rear signals are signals ONLY,and not marker-lights,so those are working fine.
As far as yout tail-light,which SHOULD be on when the key is on...check the bulb,as it sounds like you may have a burned out filiament.There are 2 filiaments in the brake-light bulb,one being tail-light,and the brighter one being the brake-light.

thanks I'll check it out tonite!

The taillight on my 1100 sometimes does not come on. It is a problem inside the ignition switch. I have to wiggle the key a few times to get the light to come on. After you replace the taillight bulb, if it still doesn't come on, suspect the ignition switch.

It sounds like a simple bulb issue to me, I have had that happen before.
look at the parts store for a 2157 bulb, that is the hvy duty version of the 1157, they are made to take more of a shock like the bikes dish out

I turned on the ignition switch to recheck the lights and still no taillight, so I went to remove the screws from the taillight lens and the light came on from the vibration of the screw turning! I gave the bulb a few taps and it didn't go out so who knows its working for now I'll dig into that later. I have bigger electrical problems to deal with on this thing...see Advancer thread...