1986 maxim 700 ... something electrical

i bought a 1986 maxim 700 airhead , everything was working properly during test ride , but on my long ride home i hit a small bump , caught a lil air and when i landed i lost brake lights, turn signals , horn , neutral indicator light and tachometer .Bike is still running fine and headlight hi/lo still function .any suggestions as to what single thing would cause these probs ?

 

Did you check the fuses? These old bikes have a history of fuse block problems.

 

i have only found a 30amp main fuse sofar and it had continuity , really new to this bike and in the process of disassembling the dash area atm to check all connections

 

If the bike is still running,, your main fuse is obviously still good. You need to find the fuses that are blown. Pull the front face off of the dash....the fuses are in there. If it was a good bump that did it, check the make sure that the battery strap is still intact, and that the battery can't move enough for ANY of the positive (+) wires to contact any frame member or any other part for that matter.

Next, pull the headlight off to check all the wires in there and make sure that there are no bared wires that can either contact one another or the headlight bucket housing.

Next, check the horn wires, the turnsignal wires, both front and back, and under the seat, to make sure that nothing has been shorted, cut, or pinched.

I personally am leaning towards a loose battery at the moment, of course that is without seeing anything in person.........

Dave F

 

awesome , Thank you very much gives me a more focused attack plan

 

you guys rock! fuses were fine but terminals were corroded , sanded em put a dab of conductive grease on em and i got horns and signals again , after checking wires ive concluded the brake lever switch is shot , so theres my brake lights .. still no tach but alot of forward progression