The Single Fuse Headlight & Gauge Light Circuit (Pre 1973) | Electrical Basics on a Honda Motorcycle

See our more in-depth written article: support.common-motor.com/hc/e...
Most of the 12v motorcycles made by Honda in the late '60s to the early '70s fell into 2 distinct categories of electrical design. There are what we call the "Early" motorcycles, which primarily came before 1973, and the "Late" motorcycles from 1974 and on. The headlight circuit is no exception. In this article, we will cover the early style headlight and gauge light circuit motorcycles that used a single 15 amp fuse on their electrical systems. We will cover how this circuit is generally set up on these motorcycles and how to troubleshoot every part and piece within it.
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Need help with your vintage Honda? Attend the CMC Repair Academy and watch the full playlist of repair videos for your motorcycle:
• CB175/CL175/SL175/CB20...
• CB350/CL350/SL350
• CB360/CL360
• CB450/CL450/CB500t
• CB550 / CB500F
• CB750
• CB350F / CB400F
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Contents of this video:
00:00 - Introduction
00:21 - Compatible Models
01:21 - Tracing the Circuit
04:57 - The Headlight & Running Light Simplified Wiring Diagram
05:24 - The Headlight Bulb
07:40 - The Headlight Wires in the Right Handlebar Switch
09:14 - The High Beam Indicator
10:08 - The Gauge Light Wires in the Right Handlebar Switch
11:28 - The Gauge Light Bulbs and Socket
13:50 - Demonstration of a Properly Running Circuit
16:22 - Wrap-up

[@issaghost2945]

This is such a blessing of a video

[@jeffbryant1991]

These videos are fantastic! I greatly appreciate you taking the time and energy to create them. They are a wealth of information. Please keep them coming. Great job!!

[@nickjames205]

Hey! Hope you all have a Merry Christmas at common motor. The community loves you guys!

[@lordgupperston3492]

Merry Xmas! Can you do a video on the starter and electrical that goes about it? I've gone through all your videos and you don't have anything about it. Besides a rebuild. Thanks guys!!!

[@russdavis1960]

Nice explanation!!!

[@randyharris9751]

Brenden. Thank you, thank you for the excellent video and explanation. My '72 CL175 had no headlight or gauge lights. After watching your video, I realized that I had not checked the ground. I popped the headlight and saw that my ground was through one of the sealed beam mounting bolts, through the trim ring, and onto the bucket. A jumper from the ground connector to the frame gave me lights. Somehow the connection between the trim ring and the bucket was interrupted. So, no ground. A little metal polish on the trim ring and on the rim of the bucket where they meet fixed the problem. Thanks again.