Lights and clutch on a 125

[Snorkel]

I would like to ask for advice re my 1981 XTR 125.

Firstly I have a problem with the indicators. When I turn them on it makes both my sidelights dim in unison with the flashing indicators. The battery is fully charged and this happens when the bike is running. It does not affect the main beam.

Although I didn’t think it would be the relay unit, I thought I’d replace it anyway, just so that I could rule it out. Unfortunately my local Honda dealer in France when ask for a replacement simply replied "Non". I always remember a friend of mine once said in relation to cars that when this sort of thing happens, it’s always a bad earth.

Before I get too involved does anyone have any pointers?

Now I also think I need to replace the clutch. The last time I replaced a clutch on a bike would have been back in the early sixties. I seem to remember it was not too problematic. Have things changed that much and are there any unforeseen difficulties that I might face?

Lastly, are there any problems with spares for a bike of this age? I thought that my best bet would be with mail order as my French leaves a lot to be desired.

Thank you in anticipation.

[mid life crisis]

Sounds like a bad earth to me, but not had much to do with 6 volts, do they have the corect bulbs in??
As for the clutch soud not be too much of a problem, just drain the oil, (make sure you get a gasket) and the kits are cheep, heres one i found on e-bay
Clutch Kit Honda XL125 XL 125 ## BRAND NEW ## on eBay (end time 02-Jan-10 12:56:37 GMT)

Hope this helps
Brian

[stretchy]

The lights could be a bad earth, just take the seat off and the connection to the rear is under there, I'd check that first. With the tank off you can get to the rest and the front wiring.

The clutch is easy enough, you may need a tool that fits the clutch center or it may be just a big nut (24mm?). I use an electric impact to spin off the nut and I'd recommend getting one to do this and other jobs (or pop the bike in a van and down to your local garage who'll have it off with an air impact). Not using this method will mean you'll need to hold the clutch with a special tool and if you don't and try and bodge it you'll smash the clutch basket, I did and thats why I got an electric (Clarke 24V) impact!

Make sure you have the right tools!

[Snorkel]

Many thanks to you both for your info. Now I've a fair idea of what's ahead.

[stretchy]

Let us know how you get on.

Don't forget that the right tools make any job easy peasy, and trying to bodge it (especially trying to get flywheels or clutches off) without the correct tools can only lead to much frustration.