headlamps not coming on

[absolute]

when I turn the ignition on, a couple of times recently the headlamps haven't come on, and in turn the ignition button wouldnt work on my NC29. I know that there is a fuse which works the ignition and the headlamps, and that is going to get changed tomorrow for a new one, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any deeper lying problem that might be causing this? What made it worse this morning was that my speedo cable failed yesterday (I have ordered a new one) and the lights didnt come on this morning, and I am wondering if there is any connection, even if it is a slight one. the lights did come on after a few mins and I was on my way.

[leopard_pagan]

1stly, you should never turn on headlights BEFORE starting the bike.. always turn them on once the bike is running.
why? it kills the reg/rec which are iffy with NC29s anyway. they reduce the power from the battery that the bike needs.. esp if you have a old battery.

1- check/replace fuse in fuse box. when this fuse blows the bike looses brake lights, horn, headlights, indicators, dash lights and can put bike in to restriction mode that wont rev past 5,000rpm.

2- check ALL wiring from the headlight bulbs back to the loom/headlight relay.
check for loose wires/connectors, bare/eaten wires esp if they touch the frame (bad earth), burnt wires.

3- what bulb wattage do you have fitted? any MORE than 55/60 WILL burn out the dip beam switch with out the correct relay mods.

4- the most obvious items... bulbs.. are they ok?

[absolute]

thanks for the reply, and sorry to sound stupid here, but on my NC29 there is no switch to turn the lights off. They are permanently on, and when I hit the ignition button they go off until the engine starts. so I cant see how I could turn them off. the head lamps are standard units, so they cant be causing a problem, and I replaced the fuse on sunday, although as for the fuse, according to my fuse box, the 15amp fuse powers the headlamps and ignition, and nothing else, I have had this fail before, no headlights and the start button not doing anything, which is the symptoms that I have had a couple of times. the thing is as far as I know, if a fuse blows it jsut blows. I dont think I have ever come across a fuse that fails imtermittently; I suppose I will just have to wait and see if it happens again in the future.

[absolute]

right, I seem to have worked out my problem, (just in case any of you are interested) it seems that I have a loose connection to the fuse box, which is causing that fuse to cut out, so I might just replace the whole thing.

[leopard_pagan]

can i ask where in the world you live? USA?
i know USA bikes have hard-wired headlights.
you can install a switch and stop them coming on before ignition.

[absolute]

can i ask where in the world you live? USA?
i know USA bikes have hard-wired headlights.
you can install a switch and stop them coming on before ignition.

I am in Kingston, surrey. UK.

basically when I turn the ignition on, the headlights are on, no switch to turn the lights off, and when I hit the ignition button the lights go out when untill the engine is fired up. is this not normal NC29 behaviour?

[absolute]

can i ask where in the world you live? USA?
i know USA bikes have hard-wired headlights.
you can install a switch and stop them coming on before ignition.

[leopard_pagan]

The bike you have has been set up for the US (or similar country) market. US spec bikes all have the headlight automatically come on before ignition and have no ON/OFF switch, just high beam. not to say that its right or does your reg/rec any good.
you could probably get a 2nd (Normal NC29) left hand switch gear that does have a off/sidelights/main + high beam and have it wired in.
i have the "normal" switch gear, so do most NC29s i have seen over the last 5 odd years.
up to you.

[absolute]

to be honest, I prefer to have it the way it is, that way there is absolutely no chance of me riding off down the road without my lights switched on.

[leopard_pagan]

lol...
most people have a ritual before setting off...
start and warm up bike.. pull in clutch a few times to free up the plates.... put headlights on.... put in gear and pull away.