cb500 dead short

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

So was yours 2 or 3 terminal ?

[RGP750]

3 terminal Ted

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not as easy to find the 3 terminal ones they are the earthed type.

[K2-K6]

Hopefully you've found the culprit Rich, does it all function with that relay removed in the interim ?

If so, well spotted Ted 

[RGP750]

Yes everything fine, plug in relay and pop.
hope the new one works ok. I would have liked an original but can't find one.
Cheers Rich
yes well done Ted, I owe you one.

[RGP750]

New conundrum
New flasher relay fitted , fuse didn't blow,
Eureka.
Next problem the lights
Don't flash :'( any thoughts please.

[Oddjob]

As in the flasher button on the left hand switch doesn't flash the headlight Rich?

First thing to check if so, is the blue wire actually connected in the headlight?

[RGP750]

Sorry  not sure what you mean.
Headlight is fine main and dip. . I don't have a headlight flash button .
Right indicator turns front and rear indicators but not flashing and left is the same .
I have tried another different unit and it's the same ??

[Oddjob]

You should have said indicators don’t flash Rich not lights don’t flash.

Sounds like a bad earth, have you tried running a wire from the indicators to a good earth point?

A UK CB500 should have a headlight flasher Rich, is it an import?

[RGP750]

Sorry just thought as I was talking about relay.
All 4 indicators are earthed , I'll try another new earth thanks .
Not an import it's a k1 from Steve admin.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Is the replacement relay just one with two terminals?
If it is you may need to reverse the connections as one way the flashing circuit does not operate.

[RGP750]

3 terminal as previous one.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

3 terminal as previous one.

Are you using conventional Tungsten bulbs of the correct wattage or LED's?
Is it an electronic flasher unit that works at a fixed rate irrespective of the bulb load?
Are the terminals marked differently - I suspect it might just back to front on the flashing circuit - leave the earth circuit as it is & try switching the terminals - for safety you can add a bulb type circuit test to remove any chance of blowing the flasher unit?

It will not flash if its a standard flasher unit with LED bulbs or if the bulb wattage is too low - sometimes you get a hyper fast flashing rate instead.

[RGP750]

All the bulbs are as they were before the flasher unit started blowing the fuse. Obviously tracked the relay down as the culprit. and bought
a new relay (well 2 actually both different makes) .I have tried reversing the black and grey and same result with both relays.
God I hate electrics

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

This might sound basic but are you sure the flasher units are the correct ones for your total bulb wattage & designed for a negative earthed vehicle?

When I replaced the flasher unit in my 400 I could not find the ones with three terminals so fitted a two terminal unit.

I am thinking  that you might have the later car type flasher unit they will be marked with an earth designed for modern cars that are positive earth.