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Gen Light Behavior

rbikeocd
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:30 pm

Gen Light Behavior

Post by rbikeocd »

I've owned a lot of post 70 airheads but this is my first 1969 R60US. The gen light does not light when I push the key in but DOES light when I twist it left or right for lights. Where should I start? By way of introduction I am a long time BMW motorcycle enthusiast. I bought this 24K mile R60US to get it out of the way for a senior friend. I'm either going to get it running right and enjoy it a bit or I am going to get it running right and get it into the hands of the right caretaker.

Thanks
1969 R60US Project
Airhead #2306

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schrader7032
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by schrader7032 »

Welcome to the forum! My guess is that there's something wrong with the contacts on the board inside the headlight. Does the gen light go off when the bike starts? If it does, it might just be an annoyance to live with...but having the light work when the key is turned shows the light at least works. Next time when the bike is started, measure the voltage at the battery with elevated RPM...should be 7v if not more.

Not sure this will fix it, but I think I've heard that putting a small amount of oil, spreading with the fingers...not dripping at all...on the shank of the key will help the key slide in easier...might help loosen things up. I stand ready to be told this is a no-no.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

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wa1nca
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by wa1nca »

rbikeocd wrote:
Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:43 pm
I've owned a lot of post 70 airheads but this is my first 1969 R60US. The gen light does not light when I push the key in but DOES light when I twist it left or right for lights. Where should I start? By way of introduction I am a long time BMW motorcycle enthusiast. I bought this 24K mile R60US to get it out of the way for a senior friend. I'm either going to get it running right and enjoy it a bit or I am going to get it running right and get it into the hands of the right caretaker.

Thanks

Does the neutral light also not work when the key is down but does when it is turned left or right
If so then the center wire on the generator/neutral light socket is most likely connected to #58 on the switch board and will only give power to the light socket only when the key is right left position and should be connected to #15/54 which has power anytime the key is down,left or right
Screenshot_2021-03-21 bmw electrical system pdf.png
Tommy
Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

rbikeocd
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by rbikeocd »

Thanks Tommy. The neutral light behaves properly in all 3 positions.
1969 R60US Project
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wa1nca
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by wa1nca »

69indicator.jpg
69indicator.jpg (18.37 KiB) Viewed 2632 times
1969 R60US

Is your generator light located next to the speedometer on the right side and have 2 wires connected two it and now the old generator light next to the neutral light wired for high beam indicator
Tommy
Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

rbikeocd
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by rbikeocd »

That is not it either. The GEN light does not change with the high beam switch and the high beam indicator light does not light even with headlamp on high beam. I'll just get in there and see what's not right. Thanks
1969 R60US Project
Airhead #2306

rbikeocd
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Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:30 pm

Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by rbikeocd »

After reading Tommy's post I read some pages in the Barrington book and I think he is right about the location of my GEN light. This is a late 1969 R60US (titled as a 1970) and it does have the extra red light next to the speedo. I'll get inside the headlight bucket soon and find out what's going on. I should not have been so easily misled by the wrong rider manual that came with the bike. Thanks
1969 R60US Project
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wa1nca
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by wa1nca »

I have never seen a riders manual for the US models or a updated wiring diagram for the US models
basic changes were the telescopic front forks,the additions of high beam light(old generator light) generator light moved next to right side of speedo and addition of side reflectors to meet US standards,a badge on the rear fender R69US,R60US,R50US,4.00 rear tire.

On the new generator light their should be 2 wires connected
1st a small blue wire coming from the generator
2nd wire going to # 15/54 on the key switch board
Tommy
Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

rbikeocd
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by rbikeocd »

Thanks Tommy. I re-secured the blue wire at the lamp and now I have a GEN light.
I have a PDF file of the US Rider Manual but I couldn't seem to attach it here.
1969 R60US Project
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schrader7032
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Re: Gen Light Behavior

Post by schrader7032 »

We have a rider's manual online in the Knowledge Base. Click on that link, then Library. Search for the R60US and you'll a copy...actually two copies published in different years.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

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