TOPIC:

Surely one of my KZ brothers has seen these two problems before.

Rehabbing my 75 Bighorn and have gone through carburetor, oil pump, etc. I am one step away from trying to fire it up. Before I turn on the gas and start kicking I have gone through all the electrics. Just about every plug, bullet connector, terminal ring, frame contact, and including the handlebar switches have been meticulously cleaned. I have a 6v 10A charger connected for power because I don't want to activate a new battery so late in the year if I don't get over this hurdle.

I have spark, running light, brake light (both switches), horn but no headlight or gauge lights. I tested the headlight and one gauge bulb independently and they work. Does the motor have to be running to complete the circuit?

With the ignition in the night time position, running tail light on, turn signal flashing, hit a brake switch (front or rear makes no difference) and the turn goes out and stops flashing. Brake light is nice and bright. Turn signals are too but hit the brake and they go out. What could be causing the brake light to stop the turn signals from flashing?

F5 Diagram

Any suggestions for me to go back and check would be appreciated because I am stumped.

In 1972 I bought a new 350 Kawi known as a model F9. In order to have a headlight and dash lights the engine had to be running.
the battery powered the neutral light, tail light and brake light with the engine not running..It was the last year they were not required to have turn signals so I can't help you with that part. OH.........And the horn would honk with the engine off too.

Excellent! Thank you Barry2. That confirms my suspicion and solves half my tail chasing.

Now to figure out this turn signal / brake light issue. Just to clarify...

Daytime switched position, turn signals flash, apply brake, brake light goes on but signals stop flashing but are lit up.

Night time switched position, running light is on, turns flash but, cause the brake light to alternate on and off. When I hit a brake switch the brake light goes on but, the signals stop flashing and stay in lit mode.

This tells me it's grounding back through the system but, adding extra ground wires directly to the lines doesn't help.

Problem solved. PO used a 32w tail light bulb which is way too high. Fortunately, I had a 6v 17/5.3w on hand and that balanced it all out. Now the turn signals flash while the running and brake light are on. Yipppee!

Heres me riding my Pops around on his 75 F9. He sold it at a yard sale for $50 back in the 80s. Prob had 2k miles on it. Ive been leisurly looking for one.

Great shot! Bet that brings back memories.

People still road race f9's

www.klemmvintage.com/bighorntech.htm