How to check the fuses

Use a test light; it's fast and easy. However, you may be able to find a blown fuse by a visual inspection. Take out the fuse and hold it up. The metal fuse part that's inside the plastic comes in a variety of shapes, but they're all similar. You should be able to see a break in the metal. A good fuse will have a continuous piece of wire running through it. This picture shows a broken, or blown, fuse.

For more certain results, use a test light. Okay, if you don't own an automotive test light, go buy one at any auto parts store. They look kind of like a pointy screwdriver with a wire coming out of the end. One should set you back about five bucks.

• Turn all the switches on the bike to the "on" position (ignition, kill).
• Connect test light to a handy ground (brake pedal works well).
• Double check the battery and test light by tapping the test lead against the positive (red) battery terminal. It should light.
• LEAVE the fuses IN, but pull the lid to the junction box (L shaped thing under the right side cover).
• Touch the test light to each fuse terminal from the back side of the fuse. There are two terminals per fuse.
• If the light doesn't light on EITHER fuse terminal, there is something circuit-related wrong.
• If the light lights on BOTH fuse terminals, the fuse is good and the circuit has power.
• If the light lights on only one fuse terminal, the fuse is blown.

This is faster, safer and more reliable than visual inspection. You can do the whole bike in well under a minute and make no errors.

Oh: There are a couple of spare fuses in there. Obviously, they don't need to light.