[keith_d]

I'm assuming you've blown the lighting fuse, but do not replace it until the short circuit has been resolved.


Providing you have a voltmeter you can do some basic checks.

1. Check that the battery terminals are both securely connected, and you have around 12.7V at the battery

2. Check whether there is a 12V supply to the fusebox.

Connect the -ve lead of the voltmeter to the -ve of the battery, then unplug a fuse and use a bent paper-clip or similar to check whether there is 12V to one end of the fuse

3a. If there is no 12V supply in the fusebox, go back and do the same check at the main fuse. You've probably blown the main fuse as well as the lighting fuse.

3b. If you have a 12V supply to the fusebox, check the ground block. Most bikes have an earth connector block. Inspect this, and confirm that there is a working ground connection by connecting the voltmeter between +ve on the battery and one of the blade connectors. If there's no ground connection you might have a corroded connector which has overheated when you shorted the lighting circult.

4. Download a copy of the wiring diagram and work through it methodically starting with the ignition switch. Check each fuse in turn, verifying that there is 12V supply to each part and replacing fuses where necessary. Also check the ground connection by using the ohms setting on your voltmeter between the ground connection and the -ve on the battery (should be less than 1 ohm). When you get to the lighting fuse, skip it and do that once the bike is working normally.

5. Track down the fault in the lighting circuit, and once it's resolved replace the lighting fuse.

Just my thoughts,

Keith.