Sometime brake lights

[GrimReaper86]

On my 86 Aspy, the trunk brake lights always come on. But, the lights in the bags won't. If I hold the lever or pedal for several seconds, the both bag lights will go on for a few seconds but then they'll go out. And, it's not reliably repeatable. Sometimes they work, sometimes they won't. But all tail lights always work. I've checked and cleaned the connections, but I must be missing something common to the bag lights, but not the trunk lights. I tried looking at the schematics, but all I learned there was I have to learn how to read schematics. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[DaveO430]

The 1200 has a relay that operates the brake lights on the saddlebags, it is the round relay in front of the coolant reservoir. Also the brake and tail light sensor by the starter relay. Check for power on the green/yellow wires coming out of those.

[GrimReaper86]

Thanks, Dave. The relay operates from both the lever and pedal. New wrinkle though. If I unplug one of the bags the other bag light works properly. Doesn't matter which bag. Once both are plugged in, neither one works. Electrical problems.

[DaveO430]

Thanks, Dave. The relay operates from both the lever and pedal. New wrinkle though. If I unplug one of the bags the other bag light works properly. Doesn't matter which bag. Once both are plugged in, neither one works. Electrical problems.

You have a bad connection somewhere, could be either power or ground.

[SilverDave]

Bad grounds ... bad hot connections.... Heavy sigh .. I used to spend way too much of my time getting all my lights going ... It was usually corroded bullet connections ... It IS a motorcycle , out in the weather.

About 8 years ago, I started eliminating as many connectors as possible with VERY carefully placed western Union solder joints and shrink wrap.. Even if a part needs to come off ( Front wheel ? ) it takes me less time to slice open the shrink wrap and unsolder and resolder than it took me to track down an iffy ground connection ..

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Thought #2 :

I had a similar problem about 7years ago with my 8 King lights , and my saddlebag side lights.

Wire ( 18 ga ) is pretty cheap.... even in colours.. and tracking bad connections can take hours and hours. .....days, sometimes.
I just re-wired the offending lights .

SilverDave