79' R65 fuse location?

[raygun]

I went to the manual and it told me that the fuses are either located under the seat and tool tray or behind the headlight in the bucket. they are in either place. So my question is where, are they?  I'm sure Rob Valdez or another, can answer  this question. Trouble I'm having is both low and high beam went out at the same time on the 79' R65. this troubled me, because my son was riding it and I thought that if one went out, We'd have the other. But there were neither high nor low beam. I got out the meter and I had continuity on one side of the bulb. But not on the other. I checked DC volts I get 12.3 on the low and high side. So I'm getting the voltage required, why am I not getting either low or high beam. I went out and bought a $26.00 silverstar bulb, but have not put it in yet. My sons ride this bike and want them to be as safe as possible. But I don't get why I can get contuinity on one side of the bulb but not on the other, but still get my voltage on both sides of the bulb on the connector

[Bob_Roller]

If you have a '79 model year bike, the fuses are under one of the side covers .

But the headlight is not protected by a fuse .

I would install the new bulb, and go from there .

[montmil]

Should your brand-new, high-dollar bulb fail to light, grab the VOM and start tracing more wires until you end up at the left-side handlebar switch. That  danged Hi-Low-Flash switch can fail whenever it wants too.

Monte

[Mike V]

Raygun,
Check under your tank  - hanging from the rear portion of the backbone just in front of your tank swing-clamp. Possibly connected with an L-bracket and circular clamp.
See the attached photo, even though the fuse box is not visible, it may be located towards the end of the frame section on the left of the photo by means of a circular clamp and L-bracket. Photo is from my 81 R65. Not sure of the location on your year bike.

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81%20R650%20Restoration/Electrics/81R65RestorationElectrics7-07-09003.jpg

Mike V.

[Mike V]

Raygun,
Maybe this will help your diagnostics. Contact me off-list and i can send you the original pdf version if the clarity is not good enough to resolve.

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81%20R650%20Restoration/Electrics/81R65LightingDiagram.jpg

Mike V. / San Diego
mvtv@cox.net

[Bob_Roller]

With a '79 model year bike, the forward ignition coil mount is the main grounding or earthing point for the electrical system .

It has the reputation for cracking, and separating and causing all sorts of intermittent electrical problems .  

Might be one of your next things to check .

[raygun]

Thanks all for your quick replies. I put the new bulb in and that was the problem. I just could'nt understand why both would blow at same time. I knew the voltage was there, so the wiring was ok. but before I checked voltage, I was looking for the fuses and could not find them. They do not lie beneath the side covers, so they must be beneath the tank. I'll have to take a look there. again thanks
Ray

[Justin B.]

On a '79 the fuses should be under the R/H side cover unless somebody has "relocated" them...

[raygun]

Ok, I took a closer look, what I thought to be a relay had a small screw on cover that revealed what looked to be 2 fuses. that are not surounded in glass. Is this all the overload protection the bike has? and what is the rating of these fuses?

[drewboid]

Raygun - you found the ceramic fuses!  Similar to those used in the old VW beetle and susceptible to corrosion, often at the ends where they are held by the fuse clip. Many owners have replaced the entire fuse block with new fuses. As to the rating 15 or 20 amps will work - I'm not sure what the original rating was.
Yes - that is the only overload protection! But it is more than I have on my /2 - that has NO fuses!

[Bob_Roller]

I believe that the two fuses are 8 amps each .

[montmil]

I believe that the two fuses are 8 amps each .

Typical Euro quirky, the ceramic fuses are rated at 7.5 amps! Just weird.

An easy upgrade to reliability is to replace these easily corroded ceramic style with more modern blade-type fuses. Check the link for my R65 upgrade DIY and part numbers.   Monte

http://www.suraklyn.com/r65_wiki/wikka.php?wakka=BladeFuse

[raygun]

montmil, thanks for the link and how to. I will look into doing this. I'm not sure of the location, for I have not seen an accessory plug on the 79'.