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1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

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cycling74
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:00 pm

1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by cycling74 »

Hello, I recently removed the rear fender to have it sandblasted and painted, The shop removed the tail light assembly during this process, and I believe they rewired it incorrectly. I've checked the wiring diagrams and manuals but cannot seem to get this tail light working properly. As it's wired right now, the running light and license plate lights stay off at all times, but when pressing the rear brake pedal, the running light lights up, only when the headlights are off and the ignition key is in the center position. The gray wire was left like that, not hooked up at all. Before I remove the fender to check the connections on the wiring block, I would like to at least get this wiring correct and confirm this is not the issue.

Photo below, anyone know the correct wiring?

Image

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therealkennyboy
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Re: 1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by therealkennyboy »

taillight.jpg
RT = Rot = Red
SW = Schwarz = Black
GR = Grau = Gray
So the Red wire is the brake light (activates via rear brake pedal switch)
The Black wire is the tail light and license plate light (activates via key position)
The Gray wire is the common for the brake and tail lights (i.e ground)
Ken Walker
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1960 R60 (currently), 1974 R75/6 (past), 1981 R100CS (currently), 1984 R100RS (past), 1989 K100RS (past)

cycling74
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:00 pm

Re: 1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by cycling74 »

Thanks, that is very helpful and I am closer than ever. Here's the current wiring, using your helpful diagram as a guide:

Image

Gray is now sharing with Green.

When headlight is turned on, with ignition in either right or left position, both lights light up, and the dual filament tail light lights up the upper filament.

Image

Image

Now, as I depress the rear brake pedal, nothing changes. However, if I move the ignition to the center, with no lights on, the brake pedal activates the lower filament and the license plate light lights up very dim like this.

Image

So, getting closer. Should I take off the fender and check the wiring block next or is there anything else I can try in this tail light assembly?

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wa1nca
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Re: 1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by wa1nca »

Reverse the Grey and Black wires
Last edited by wa1nca on Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

cycling74
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:00 pm

Re: 1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by cycling74 »

Well, that fixed it. Thank you very much!

Final photo of correct wiring:

Image

Now I can finally get this inspected. Thanks again!

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wa1nca
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Re: 1965 R50/2 Tail light wiring

Post by wa1nca »

Glad to here you got it working
Always good to take a picture,if before wiring was working ok
Tommy Byrnes
54 R51/3, 55 R50/Velorex 560 sidecar, 64 R27, 68 R69US, 75 R75/6
Ashfield, Ma
USA

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