Headlight question

[Old is Gold]

Well I just got home and had a chance to take the bike out so bear with me. Still doesn't seem to make any difference. Can I check the bulb itself with the voltmeter just for continuity between the threaded portion and the lead center area of the bulb to see if there is continuity there? The bulb itself has the dimpled surface but from what I can visually see the element in the bulb looks okay

 

[Gordon]

Yes, you can check the bulb as you suggested - continuity between lead center and threaded portion. Then attach the red lead on your voltmeter to the wire at the lamp where it would contact the rear of the bulb. Attach the other lead (black) to a place on the frame near the light on bare metal. Turn the pedals and if you don't get voltage on the meter the frame isn't grounded. As I said in my post a page or two back, you may need to clean the area beneath the set screw to achieve a good ground.

 

[Old is Gold]

Gordy why would the tail light work if the generator isn't grounded correctly?

 

[Gordon]

I believe the tail light is grounded through the mounting bracket. Therefore the mounting bracket has to have a bare metal connection to the frame for the front to work.

 

[Old is Gold]

Like I said, I am not an electrician so to me it seems like since both the headlight and tail light wires are mounted to the same stud on the generator itself that it would be an all or nothing working situation but I will try and check into it more tomorrow as you mentioned. Thank you for your help

 

[Old is Gold]

Don't know if these pictures would help with anything either.

 

[Gordon]

On the ones I am used to working on, the mounting bracket for the generator clamps to a seat stay and then in the middle of the outside half of the bracket is a pointed screw. That screw has to penetrate the paint on the frame to establish a ground throughout the frame. The last one I worked on I had to remove some rust between the screw and the seat stay to make it work.