Indicators inoperative, plus another issue

[AJB]

I need to ask the advice of the R65 gurus on this forum.
 Hopefully when I describe the issues I discovered today, someone will tell me exactly what the problem is, and how easy and cheap it is to fix......

I've been slow to get the bike ('82 R65LS) back onto the road after winter due to various issues, however over the last few days I have finally changed the fuel, charged the battery and got her started and warmed up.  I was about to give her a run round the block before giving her a service when I discovered that the indicators had stopped working totally (neither side flashing front or rear, no dash lights, no clicking).  They were fine in October when she was last used.

Had a quick look at the basics and discovered that the top fuse was blown.  Excellent I thought - I've found the issue.  Bought a pack of fuses today, fitted one this evening and, erm, still no indicators.....

However, now the fuse is in there the ignition lights don't turn off with the key.  I can turn the key to 'Aus' remove the key and everything still works as if it was switched on.  Turn the kill switch to off and the lights go out as you would expect, but otherwise everything works.  Take the top fuse back out and we're back to being controlled by the key.

What circuits should the upper fuse protect?  I can't find anything not working when it is removed, other than the indicators - but as they don't work with it in either, I don't think this is relevant!

I did a little searching on here but couldn't find anything that seemed related.  The brake lights still work, which one of the threads told me are on the same fuse, and the headlamp flasher isn't stuck, which was on another.

So two issues / questions:

1) What is the most likely cause of the indicator failure.  Flasher unit possibly?

2) What does the upper fuse do?  And has a PO bodged something somewhere to get round another issue in the past?  Failed ignition switch maybe?

Any advise gratefully received!

[Monman]

Might be a long shot but check where the rear indicator  wires go into the steel tube that the indicators are bolted to. Mine earthed out there.
Good luck.

[Bob_Roller]

If you turn the key to the OFF position and the circuits are still powered, I'd say the ignition switch may be the cause .

I'd also check the grounds, earths, there is a grounding, earthing point at the voltage regulator, a lot of single color brown wires are ganged together on one single crimp on connector, one of the fasteners that secures the voltage regulator to the frame  secures this electrically to the bikes frame .

[mrclubike]

Hello AJB
Have you been able to resolve this problem

[AJB]

Hello AJB
Have you been able to resolve this problem

Haven't had the chance to have a decent look at it yet unfortunately.  Hopefully I'll be able to spend time on it this weekend

[mrclubike]

The fuses really do not do much
This is the circuit for the fuse with green wires coming off of it

It only controls the horn brake lights and turn signals

[mrclubike]

this is the circuit for the fuse with the Grey wires coming off of it

It only controls the tail light and gauge illumination

[mrclubike]

All this being said
You have some bad grounds causing some crazy feed back or some wires crossed up

Like Bob said there is a big pile of brown wires on the reg mounting bolt
Take it loose and clean all the wires and the surfaces on the frame and reassemble

[AJB]

Thanks Mrclubike, that's really helpful.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to look again this weekend.  I had a chance last weekend but I chose to take it out for a ride instead - using hand signals!

[BPT]

When he said "big pile" of brown wires, he wasn't exaggerating. I just happened to have a pic: