Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

The front left blinker doesn't work at all and the other three don't flash. Will replacing the bulb, if it's simply burned out, cause all four lights to flash? If not, how hard is it to replace the flasher (part #, location, instructions)? I saw a wiring diagram but couldn't figure it out.

Also, my headlight doesn't work. The hi/low switch is broken so it just flops around. Something I read indicated this could cause the headlight to not function. Someone suggested an alternative wiring set-up that would by-pass the switch. Can anyone confirm if that's possible and provide some simple instructions? Is there a simple test to see if the headlight bulb is burned out?

One more thing, I'd like to drain the oil resevoir. Any tips for doing that?

Thanks

Refer to my electrical help from geek post and clean up your wiring connections 1st.

Then replace any bulbs that are bad. Test them in the socket that works. If any one of your bulbs is not working the blinker goes crazy and will stay on without flash or not at all. You can find blinker bulbs at most big autoparts stores like Napa. Bring your bulb in and tell them it is 6volt.

I need a flasher/blinker unit also as I had one go bad and found out they are not something you find locally. I'm sure they are an internet thing. I might program an Atmel mega8 microchip to do the flashing, but that just does not seem vintage enough for these bikes, while it would be a simple code to write and those chips are easy to use. If I go that route I'll post and make them available to all for the $5 it cost me to make a blinker chip.

If your headlight is dangling it sounds like you have many connections to check and or replace. Take your time and do it right.

Oil pump tank is easy. Disconnect the hose underneath the oil tank. It is surrounded by steel spring like protector. Make sure you are ready to put another hose on it as soon as you pull it. Have that hose plugged at one end to stop the flow. Then drain oil into a container and flush out the tank. Remove tank by unscrewing lid and strap if any to clean it up better. You will then have to bleed air out of the system which gets more time consuming Clymer and Hayes or whatever they are called walk you through it. Order both manuels as they are necessary for many simple and complex tasks.

Good luck!

Flanders has an aftermarket flasher that works really well on my '74 MT250.

It is item number 401-86716

http://www.flandersco.com/action.lasso? ... 20Prefix=H