Hello Folks;

I am working on getting my CT2 passed inspection and I was not sure about a couple of things on the lighting and electrical system.   

1. The Tach has two lights.  From what I know the left is for the neutral position indicator.  What is the right light for and when is it supposed to light up.  Is it a flasher light indicator?   
2. Do the gauge illumination lights come on without the motor running?  Does the ignition need to be in the third position.  Can't seem to get these working and haven't tried them with the motor running.  
3. I seem to have my high and low beams reversed.  I know for sure that the headlight does not work without the motor running...Correct?  My guess is to switch the green and yellow as per the wiring diagram

I do have a wiring diagram and will study it once again to see if I can get this to work.  One other thing I did notice is that there seems to be an add on to provide daytime running lights.  I seem to have that working as the rear light is on with just the ignition switch in the second position.

Thanks and appreciate any advice.

Luke   

Other indicator is turn signal.

Not sure what you're talking about with "daytime running light option" unless you mean riding in the daytime with headlight on?  Your bike predates the 1978 US law that required all new motorcycles to be manufactured in such a way that the headlight is always on... So you have a choice and your key switch controls the headlight/taillight.  Some states require motorcycles to always be ridden with headlight on no matter what the year model...  many states don't.

Your switch position descriptions may be confusing me.  So first thing is to clarify the three switch positions.  OFF - ON (Day) - ON (Night)

If your rear light is always on with key in the second position, ON (Day), then look for a stuck brake light switch. 

Taillight should only come on with key in third (ON (Night)) position on US model bikes made from 1970.  Taillight works with engine off.  Headlight and gauge illumination lights require the engine to be running and key in ON (night) position.

Wires are color coded and match up color for color.  Use caution before switching wires around!  You might damage something.

 

This great feedback as I think you answered most of my questions. 

My bike currently is working as you described in the 2nd and 3rd key positions.  The taillight does not come on with the ignition in the ignition in the 2nd ignition position.  It comes on in the 3rd position and now the headlight comes if with the bike running.   To know if the illumination lights (ie: high beam and gauge lighting) are working I have to run the bike with the key in the 3rd position.... is that correct?  Also, should the turn indicator work if the bike is not running with the ignition in position #2?  

As for the high and low beam being mixed up do you have any thoughts where I should look for this?

I live in Canada and I hope the regs don't require me to have the headlight and taillight on even in the 2nd key position, which would typically be your daytime key position.  In the event this is a requirement how difficult is it to make this modification with minimal "brain damage"?
 
Thanks very much MarkT.  

You're welcome.

If you stay quiet and just turn the key all the way to night position, you won't have a problem.  If they are required to operate the bike for you (unlikely), then simply tell them to turn the key all the way to the last position to start it.  If you bring the "day" position up, some jerk might hassle you about it even if they are wrong. 

Canada and US had very similar standards which almost always exempt vehicles built before a new law was made so you should be fine..  just keep quiet and don't tempt fate and open a can of worms.

Turn signals should work with key on day or night and without engine running.

 

Got it!

I last thing on this MarkT if  you can help me with.   I had look at the high and low beam and I think they are reversed.   I did do a cleaning of the handle switch and my worry is that I mixed up the green and yellow when I reinstalled everything or it was like that when I got the bike and I just put it back together like I found it.   The question is if they are reversed at the switch do you see a problem simply switching the yellow and green connectors at the headlight?  

As I look at the wiring diagram it appears the current is isolated to only the headlight and the taillight and so my thoughts are it shouldnt be a problem

Thoughts ?

I guess ya running a sealed headlight. But if ya running replaceable bulb type like we had then i'm sure ive seen the bulb socket fiber piece been turned half a turn by someone fiddling or repairing things which reverses high & low. Shouldn't really be able to happen as think the fiber piece has a narrow ear & a wide ear so might be dreaming. Same with tail lights too.

I'm not sure what the dilemma is?  The connections to the switch are in the headlight bucket.  So if you connected the wires backwards, why not just fix the switch connection?  It's right there by the headlight.

Or are you saying you had to solder wires at the switch or something? 

What about the high beam indicator?  Does it work?  That's something that's legally required in many states.

I'm asking a bunch of questions because sometimes it's easy to think you made a mistake and didn't.