Can't get a turn signal grounded

[scottyintex]

I am adding another turn signal to the sidecar...but can’t get it grounded for some reason. I ran a hot wire from another working turn signal..it snakes around the frame for about three feet. Hooked it up to the light..ran a ground wire to the frame..but it won’t work. This is just your regular BMW R65 turn signal. Thought maybe the light wasn’t working...so hooked a batter to the turn signal. It worked. I grounded the turn signal to the same bolt that I used to ground a LED running light that I added.  The turn signal and LED are grounded to a plain steel...unpainted bolt...than runs through a metal fender into the steel frame of the sidecar. The running light works fine..but the damn turn signal won’t.  So....what am I doing wrong???  

[Bob_Roller]

I would run a separate ground wire for the directionals .

You may need a 'bonding' wire between the side car and R65 frame to connect them electrically .

All of the circuits on the R65 use individual ground wires they are all 'ganged' together at one ground or earthing point on the frame .

[scottyintex]

Ok, I tried moving the grounding wire to another bolt...one without the LED ground on it..still won't work.

[montmil]

Methinks Bob suggests you run a ground wire to an earthing point on the motorcycle rather than the bolt on the side hack. A flexible braided grounding strap from car to bike would be neat-o, too. Could shorten some wire runs.

Monte

[scottyintex]

Well, shucks all this electric jargon is too complicated for me. Giving me a bigger headache than long division did. Think I will just hang the lights where I want them and take it to Roger at on road off road and let him build a wiring harness. He has a degree in electrical engineering...think he might even under stand Algebra. For the moment red neck engineering is at a halt.....just when it was beginning to look like a Christmas tree going down the road.

[montmil]

Scotty, I think we're gonna have to ground YOU and make you stay after class. [smiley=wink.gif]

Can't be that chilly in Marble Falls. Grab the volt/ohm meter and get busy. BTW, you still owe me a Shiner Bock in Luckenbach. [smiley=beer.gif]

My personal regards to your charming and very patient wife. She's gotta be a saint. . .

Monte

[jg928s4]

Need a good Ground strap from Bike to the Sidecar.