'77 Yamaha XT500 turn signal trouble

Hi,
I just purchased a nice '77 XT 500 original except the turn signals
were stripped off. I bought aftermarket signals(6v)) specifically for
this model. After plugging into the existing harness, the front
signals light up fine, but will not flash. The rear signals are dim
and also will not flash.
Is this a ground problem or possibly the relay is bad? Or maybe the
rear bulbs are different wattage?
A new relay is $70.+...
thanks.
philb

 

philb ......

You've got power to 'em, so you have a 'ground' problem.


moto

'95 750 Nighthawk (big red)
'95 Helix (little red)
'93 Ninja (up 'n runnin')

 

A car relay which does the same job is a tenth of this.

Or is the XT500 six-volt? In which case a moped relay - probably even
cheaper.

 

Thank you everyone for the response. I am posting via Google so it
takes a while.
I am leaning towards the "ground' also.
Good ideas for the relay. (6volt) If it comes to that I will
definitely benefit.
Something struck me today... the taillight bulb is missing , I ordered
a new bulb but it hasn't arrived yet. Would the missing connection
thru my taillight cause the system to be ungrounded(tech term)?

philb

 

No

 

I looked at the bulbs today, the rear is a 2 element bulb and the
front is a single. No swapping.
I grounded the rear signals directly to the main ground at the
battery. No different.
It is interesting though, I started the bike, and turned the left
signal on. Front is bright as day, rear on, but dim. Did the same for
the right.
I revved the motor to clear it out, and lo and behold! the blinker
blinked!
opposite side works too. If I keep the motor revved at 5,000 rpm, they
will flash consistently. When I let off, they stop flashing. The rear
signal stays dim though...