Running Lights Problem

Greeting all! I am new to the forum. I had a few questions.

So, I took my bike apart for paint this last week. But, due to hurricane force winds in the Los Angeles Area (What? Really? Yeah It knock out all of my trees and my wooden fence.) The parts were just sitting there ready for paint. So, I got tired and put it back together. It looks very funny.

So I assembled everything and ran into a problem with my rear running lights. I noticed that they weren't "running". I hit the brakes and they come on. I switched the connectors and the polarity of the bulbs. And nothing. THis might be a safety issue since I do a lot of night time riding (Because of School).

An easy fix I was thinking about was replacing my license plate light with a red bulb. No dice?

 

By the way I have a Fifth Generation (pre-Vtec) 2000 Vfr 800. I have had it for 5 months and I'm loving it. Its my first bike.

 

I hate to ask but did you try another bulb or check the circuit with a meter?

 

I did try another bulb and nothing. I have not attempted the circuit meter yet. I am a bit of a noob, so how would I use that tool to solve the problem (I know what it does, don't know how to use it).

 

Do your headlights, tach and speedo work? If they also do not work, check the fuse as those are all on the same circuit. If its the fuse, find the short. My 99 did this to me a while back, turned out to be the license plate light wires touching the frame.

 

Everything is working fine, everything except the running lights. I will see If I wire up some Led Strips to mimic running lights.

 

So, I bought two other bulbs and still nothing. So, I bought two led strips (red) and placed them in the read wheel well. It looks pretty gnarly and increases visibility. I'm glad my running light went out. I wired the running lights into the switch for my rear view camera.