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R50 /2 basic functions questions

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aj.bauer
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:08 pm

R50 /2 basic functions questions

Post by aj.bauer »

Hi all,

I recently completed restoration / reassembly of my 1965 R50 /2 which I purchased in boxes. I am very happy with it, and it rides wonderfully based on the one time I’ve ever ridden it. Since I’ve had limited experience with these bikes, I wonder if folks can help confirm normal operation of horn and main headlight switch.

Horn: works well off the bike connected to 6v battery and on bike when on riding / throttle is open. Horn does not sound when engine is off yet ignition is on, or when engine is just at idle. Is this typical, or is charging system coming up short perhaps?

Main headlight switch: charge light (and neutral) are on when key is pressed into park position, and when key is turned the headlight comes on. When engine is running turning the key from turned to park does not kill engine, only pulling the key out kills engine. Does this sound correct?

Thanks, and thanks for being a great resource along the way!
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tony

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schrader7032
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As for the horn, think of the

Post by schrader7032 »

As for the horn, think of the battery as a storage device only...it's not needed to run the bike. When the bike is at speed and engine revving, then the charging system is providing all of the voltage/current. But when the engine is not running or it's idling, the battery is supplying that. So, my guess is that your battery is not healthy enough to power things when the generator is not doing its thing.

I'm not sure I fully understand the key question... But the only way to stop then engine is to pull the key. IIRC if you turn the key to the park position and pull the key, the park light will stay on and the engine will quit. I've never tried doing that, though.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

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Twocams
Posts: 781
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:42 pm

Those electric boards that

Post by Twocams »

Those electric boards that the key is used to kill the bike when the key is pulled. My circuit board is a bit finicky, alto new, when turning to different key passions. I just leave the key to the head lite passion and don't keep playing with it. All I need is head/tail lite. And turn lite, on the turn switch.
Twocams
92 R100RT/69 R69S
2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500cc single cylinder Scooter
83 Honda V65 Magna, fastest production bike in1983
2015 Can Am Spider SE6 1,688 miles
2018 Moto Guzzi V711 Special

aj.bauer
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:08 pm

Thank you both. The horn

Post by aj.bauer »

Thank you both. The horn functions fine using the same bike battery when directly connected to the battery, but there must be some loss in the circuit when connected through the bike’s wiring. I’ll keep an eye on it, and charge the battery anyway.

The key question is really after wanting to understand the specific functions each key position enables (the three positions shown in the images from my original post). Sounds like when the key is pushed in the engine can run/start, and the headlight comes on only when the key is pushed in AND turned. This is how mine operates, so thinking it is okay.

I have to say it was fun making my first ride on it yesterday, if not a little nerve-wracking. Such a drastic difference in experience from modern motorcycles.
tony

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Twocams
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:42 pm

Ya, my horn works the same

Post by Twocams »

Ya, my horn works the same way. Its off the bike right now. I even bought a new horn switch. Ill figure it out some day. I think mine has 2 positive wires if I remember correctly. One should be a ground wire to the horn terminals. I took the horn off when I put my new 12 volt system on and never put it back on.

I babied mine some after taking 2 yrs to rebuild myself. This year and a few oil changes, been a little more aggressive. Not running it hard, just using it as a "nice old bike".
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Twocams
92 R100RT/69 R69S
2004 Aprilia Atlantic 500cc single cylinder Scooter
83 Honda V65 Magna, fastest production bike in1983
2015 Can Am Spider SE6 1,688 miles
2018 Moto Guzzi V711 Special

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wa1nca
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r50 operator manual

Post by wa1nca »

Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

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bstratton
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I have the same bike

Post by bstratton »

1965 R50/2

Also just finished restoring it. Love that bike. My horn works fine with just the switch on engine off. I had to tear it apart and clean things. Painted it, too. Then it took a while to get it all adjusted to work at all. Shouldn't be much resistance in the horn circuit. The switch just provides a ground. It is the same switch assembly for your direction indicators if you have them. Your ignition switch sounds like it is working correctly. The only way the engine runs is if it is pushed all the way in. Left and right just control head light and parking light. You have to pull it out to stop the motor.

Have fun with that little beauty!
Bstratton
1971 R60/5
1965 R50/2
1982 Honda Goldwing GL1100 Interstate
MA

aj.bauer
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:08 pm

Good input - thanks!

Post by aj.bauer »

Excellent. Sounds like I have a bit more work to do on my horn. I too, took the horn apart (not everything, but cleaned inside without taking all the bits out of the cavity and repainted it - though it was four years ago almost so memory is probably 50/50). I'll look at the horn button to see if it could connect better, get the battery on trickle, and then work on the horn itself a bit more.

Enjoy yours as well! I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth my R50 /2 rode.
tony

aj.bauer
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 12:08 pm

Thanks for the manual link ...

Post by aj.bauer »

- good thing to have certainly.
tony

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