in wire hell

[TheWretched]

I think my initial mistake was that I assumed the red wire coming out of the R6 tail-light assembly was the power... I have just always known RED=HOT, black is usually the ground.
After hooking it up the way it made sense in my head and have it work kinda' half-a**; I assumed I was on the right path.
I should find out tomorrow morning sometime, when I actually get a chance to sit down and work on it again.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by TheWretched

I think my initial mistake was that I assumed the red wire coming out of the R6 tail-light assembly was the power...

Well, yes, that was a mistake.......since all the elements share a common ground and then EACH of the other leads gets power as needed. Tail light from the ignition switch and others from their respective switches.
There is no common power lead.

[Davecm203]

Have you gotten your new relay in yet? I have been curious and so I have been trying to find a wiring diagram on your new lights. I have had no luck.

I was just wondering if you have had any luck with it yet.

[TheWretched]

The turn-signal-relay was ordered last week from bike-bandit; I got a confirmation e-mail that it was shipped out today.
I should have it in a couple of days.

[TheWretched]

Got the turn-signal-relay in the mail yesterday. (took forever; which is very unlike bikebandit but I am thinking it might have been due to the holidays)

I tried several different wiring configurations and got nowhere.
Back to square one.
I am now wondering if it's the break-switch-relay that is burned-up.

[TheWretched]

[Davecm203]

Have you tried connecting the stock lights back just to see if they work?

Or better yet, take your multimeter and check for voltage at each point that you should have voltage. At least that way you can determine if it is your bike or the aftermarket lights. Also, acording to the schematic you posted last, there are fuses for the tail lights and the turn signals. Have you checked the fuses?

[TheWretched]

I've been checking the fuses with every new wire configuration I try.
I've already burnt out several fuses; so I bought a pack of 10.
I have the stock tail light and I am about to try hooking that back up to see if that works. (as you suggested)
Also, I have been studying the R6 wiring schematic along-side the Katana's and It seems that my original hook up is correct.
The only part that seems off is the [2 black w/white stripe] wires from the Katana wire-harness that I have grouped together and attached to the [black] R6 tail-light wire.
Looking at the Katana's wiring schematic I think I need to un-group those two wires and find out where they lead to within the harness.
We'll see.

[Davecm203]

I am sure you tried it already, but, when you try the LEDs again, connect only the rear lights first and try that. Then connect the brake lights and the signals one at a time. That way you will know the effect of each.

Just for curiosity, place you multimeter in the Ohm setting across the wires of the tail lights. place the neg. lead to the neg of the lights and touch the possitive wires with the positive of the meter.

[TheWretched]

So, I hooked up the old tail-light and blinkers and noticed that although the break light worked properly the blinkers still wouldn't blink. (front or back)
Then I hooked up the R6 taillight and found a configuration that allows for the break light to work properly. (The blinkers will come on, but will not blink.)

The R6 tail-light-assembly housing is sealed; and therefore I can't see where the wires go. I don't want to crack it open unless I absolutely have to.

Turns out that the white wire of the R6 tail-light assembly is the power.
Here is a corrected diagram.

Under this configuration the parking light & break-light works and the turn signals come on but won't blink.

When I hit the turn signal switch on the handle bar I hear a single "click" near the battery box.
I remember hearing that click every time the turn-signals blinked. Now it only clicks once.

[Davecm203]

It sounds like you have the light figured out then. Now to figure out why the turn signals are not working.

[pinky44]

Are you putting led turn signals on the front as well.

I ask this as i have had mismatched lamps before Ie- 1/21w in the front and 1/23w in the rear which caused the signals to light up but not flash.

I have read some where that you need to fit a flasher relay desighned for led signals, as the led`s use less power than standard units.
Mabey somebody on the forum has fitted led signals all round and could give you some input on this.

Glad you have figured most of it out.

[TheWretched]

Yes. I have put LED turn-signals in the front as well.
I didn't think of that.
When I hooked up the original tail-light and turn-signals to trouble-shoot; I still had the LED turn-signals hooked up to the front.
I will try to hook up the original turn signals on both the front & back and see what happens.

[Davecm203]

What are the power, current, and voltage ratings on the LEDs? (If they have it on the packaging.)

I was going to try to figure out what flasher you would need for the LEDs. But they make a "Variable Load Turnsignal" relay. It is supposed to work under a wide range of loads.

Variable Load Turn Signal Flasher Unit | HelmetHead Cycle Gear™ Motorcycle Accessories
Grote Industries: Product #44010 - 3-Wire

While looking for examples online, I found where one guy got one from an auto parts store and it worked perfect. (That seems like what most recomend to do.)

If you don't mind spending more money you can try one of these: Buy Now: Signal Dynamics Tri Star, Penta Star Module, Turn Signal Modules | Pashnit Moto

[TheWretched]

So the idea here is that; I should replace the turn-signal relay I just bought with one of these “Variable Load Turn signal" relays?

I think I still need to trace the [black w/white-stripe] wires in the harness to try and figure out if there is a better configuration.

I noticed that if I activate either turn signal; although the turn-signal LED's come on (and stay on) it now turns off the red parking-light LED's.
However if I simultaneously put the breaks on; the red brake-light LED's come on & off just fine and independent of the turn-signal LED's. (the way it should be)
But I'm quite sure that activating the turn signals should not have any effect on the parking lights.
So.. It feels like I solved one problem but created another.
But at least this time I didn't fry anything.

[Davecm203]

LOL!! Good job not frying anything.

So, it has seperate light for signals, brake, and running light. Who made the light?

As for the varible load, the LEDs have a different load than the stock signals and so, it may not opperate the stock relay properly.

[Bubba600]

Ya, if you switched all 4 flashers to leds you will either have to get a digital relay, or resisters to raise the load for them to flash correctly. Also, what are you talking about when you say running light? Katanas don't have running lights from the factory, just wiring in case you want to install some.

[TheWretched]

Umm.. What do you mean they don't have running lights?
Maybe "parking lights" then?
If you start the bike there is a red light which emits from the break light assembly.
If you depress the break-lever this red light increases in luminosity to signal a reduction in your speed.
There are two levels of luminosity in this red light.
Engaging the turn-signal should not cancel out the lower level of luminosity emitted from this red light.
That's the current problem.
When the turn-signal is engaged the signal lights light-up and causes the "parking/running" red light to turn off.
Once the turn-signal is disengaged the "parking/running" light comes back on.
It was not doing that before.
My new wire configuration fixed my break-light issued but started this one.

[Davecm203]

I was the one calling it "running lights". I was refering to the tail lights as they stay on at all times while running. All motorcycles do (or supposed to).

[Bubba600]

Okay, my bad. I thought you were talking like the blinkers were on all the time and flashed brighter like with a 2 element bulb or something. Effectively turning the turn signals into running lights/flashers.