Triumphrat

vancuzo

I have a 1978 bonnie I am new to working on bikes and so far have done everything on my own short of bringing it in to a mechanic to do a once over. witch did not turn out to well the mecanic was awsome and helped me alot showed me what I needed to do exactly the type of help I was looking for. But when he put the battery back in he left the negative wire prong up not to far but just enough so I was driving on the way home did not notice it hit a bump and the bike staled. At the time I figured the the carb adjustments we did was part of that so I didled with them and got the bike going. I got a little farther down the road hit another bump and stuff started smoking. That is when I poped the seat and noticed the wiring smoking and the arc mark on the bottom of the seat. I called the guy he came by helped me change some wires got it going did not have a fuse available so had to use a small piece of metal. I got the bike home fine replaced the fuse and all was well for awhile. a few days later I was going to work and blew a fuse I repalced it got to work. On the way home it did it again found out there was a little spot of wire on the blinker line that was shaved so I fixed that had to rig the fuse to get it home. now I can not get the bike to start or the blinkers to blink they both work but wont blink what should I check is there a easy way to check the wires? where should I start I am new to this and got the bike not to long ago so I am still getting the feeling for it any help would be appreciated
vancuzo

epynt1050

If the turn lights come on but do not blink, then the usual cause is one of the following:
Low battery
Poor earth
Faulty Capacitor.

However, with the electrical problems you have had, it could easily be something else.

vancuzo

we had to redo the ground when we rewired that so I will check that I also failed to mention that the only fuse it had was a negitive one and I added a positive on because I wanted to avoid the melted wires again where is the capacitor and how would I check that

epynt1050

Capacitor has moved around over the years. Sometimes in the headlight shell. Other times under the seat. It has also varied in shape. Often silver/grey cube 1"x1"x2/3" but can also be a tube of similar size. Should have 3 or 4 electrical lugs.