85 650 electrical problems

[11-11-67]

just brought home a 85 650 19000 miles. it runs fine but have to correct some problems. brake light does not work. bulb looks ok. horn does not work. where do i find fuses. also any suggestions for directional problem. lights all work but when i use switch left right and middle directional lights change some go off when others go on?? also is it normal for the bike to feel tight in low speed turns? Thanks for any help Tony

[genespleen]

Hi,

One of your 15A fuses--Fuse B--does control the horn, brake light, and directionals.  Look below the headlamp for the fuse panel.  Hopefully, you just have a fuse problem--perhaps a blown fuse, or perhaps some corrosion.

There is a wiring diagram in the Motorcycle Forusm-->Nighthawk Reference section here:
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/board,68.0.html

Hard to know what you mean about "tightness" in low-speed turns.  Do you mean an unwillingness to turn in?  Notchyness in the steering?  The latter could indicate a need to check the steering head bearings.

To check the steering head, bearings put the bike on it's center stand and safely weight the saddle so that the front wheel is off the ground. With the front wheel pointing straight forward, grasp the lower fork legs with your hands and try to move the forks forwards and backwards. If there is any play or if the if the forks do not turn from stop to stop smoothly, adjustment or repair is indicated.

See here for guidance on that job:
http://www.dansmc.com/steering_bearings.htm

best,
David

PS:  don't forget there are entire sections of these forums devoted to electrical issues and suspension problems.

[ExTex]

As Gene said, the fuses are below the headlightand behind the horns.
Easier to get at if you remove the horns.
Might as well replace all fuses with new ones instead of taking the time to test them and clean their contact ends.
I would replace the headlight and brakelight bulbs just to be sure to have good ones in there.

Once the horns are removed, you can test them by hooking each up to your car battery with some wire or small jumper cables.
That is the easiest way to see if the horns work.  Both of mine were DOA.

Ride safely,