Whilst the R65 is sick with cylinder related issues, the Vespa ('73 Sprint Veloce) has been pressed into more service. The headlight has been erratic, and cut out for good the other day. Some fiddling with the loom caused it to live again, briefly, but then it was all over. I need to use the vespa every day...SO!
All wires to the lights up front had continuity, except for the black live wire! I suspected a break/ short inside the loom somewhere. On a Vespa, this is very in-accessible. I noticed an old hair drier which was dead, and had a look at the flex which seemed fine after checking its continuity. . I cut it to the correct length, and gaffer taped it in place down the inside of the leg shields and along the floor rests, up under the removable panel, and taped it to the emerging loom for its short journey over the barrel, past the carb and down into the junction box. Soldered the relevant fittings to each end of the cable, tested the continuity again, started up and whadya know.....nice bright 6v light!! Happy with that as a temporary fix while I find someone to replace the loom for me. I figure those old wires from '73 must be feeling their age.
