Beginner headlight question

[FrogmanNH]

I just bought my first motorcycle, '82 GS650, in non-running condition. I've almost got it to the point where I should be able to get it running, and I cannot get the headlight to come on. I know this is a stupid question, but I don't have much experience working on bikes or any diagrams to work from, does the headlight run off of the battery, or does it run right off of the generator? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[kparkfan]

i do believe it runs off the battery. do you have other lights that come on when you turn the key on? if so you might have a loose or disconnected wire in your headlight bucket. or you head light might be blown.

[FrogmanNH]

Thanks for the quick response. The bulb is good, the turn signals work, the neutral light, oil light, and the "1" on the gear indicator all work, all of the connectors behind the headlight are plugged in, but there is no light on for the speedometer or tachometer. I found one wire unplugged under the fuel tank, tried plugging that in but no results.

[tkent02]

There's also a fuse for the headlight.

[FrogmanNH]

Sorry, didn't proofread my post. I meant to add that all of the fuses are good.

[shirazdrum]

If you have a voltmeter get to work. start from the source (battery) and check for power til you get to the fuse box. pull off the instrument and headlight fuses and check to see if you have power (on the battery side of the fuse box).
Check the fuses with OHM meter.
Put the fuses back in and start checking each positive wire all the way to head lights, tach and speedo. It takes work but at least you know where the problem is.

Go to Basscliff website, i'm sure i've seen a wiring diagram for your bike.or it could have been a 850?

Chris

[shirazdrum]

Here's the wiring diagram:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/gs650wiring.html

[crag antler]

WHere are you at in NH?? Close enough to one of us and maybe we could come over and help.
I live in Wells ME, so relatively close to most.

[Suzuki_Don]

You need to get a wiring diagram and a multimeter or 12v lamp with alligator clips attached. Then trace the wiring from the battery to the headlight connection.

Turn ignition on, if headlight does not come on with ignition "ON" then turn headlight on at handlebar switch. I think in the US they had headlight "ON" all the time, whereas in OZ we had an ON/OFF handlebar switch. With ignition on there should be 12v at the headlight fuse. If so then work on from there.

[FrogmanNH]

Thanks for the information and diagram. I actually live about 700 miles away from NH, I've just been using the NH suffix for a long time at the end of my username.

[Big T]

Check your high/low headlight switch

[LarryA_Texas]

82 or 81

I have an '81 and it has the switch on the handlebar for the lights. I think by '82 that switch was gone, or at least was stuck in the 'on' position. Your most likely problem is the connections inside that handlebar switch assembly. Before you take it apart be very careful to work on a bench where you can catch all the tiny pieces that will fall out. Then work slowly to make sure you see where they came from as they are coming apart. Clean all the connections on those little metal plates and then use a jumper to see if the lights work while it's apart. It's slow, delicate work but they are usually reparable.