Electrical acting up - signal lights & horn

[tarsnake]

Hello all,

I've got a 78 750K.  I recently got it back from the mechanic and it's running better than it has been in years.  There are a couple of things tho.  When I ride around town (lots of stopping at intersections) I've noticed my horn stops working and my headlamp gets dim and signals dim and stop blinking.  Once I get to the highway, they all come back to life.  What could be the reasons for this?  

Also, my rear turn signals don't illuminate when I turn the bike on.  The front ones light up fine but the back ones stay off.  They blink fine (when the charge is strong) so I'm pretty sure it's not the relay.  Could this be a ground issue?  I don't want to bring it back to the mechanic if these are issues easily troubleshot with some sage advice.  Can ya help me out?

[TOOLS1]

The rear turn signals do not light up as running lights like the front ones do, so this is normal. The other electrical problems sound like a weak battery, or bad battery cables. You do not have enough juice to operate the electrical items until you are building enough RPM (2,500+/-) for the charging circuit to work.
TOOLS

[tarsnake]

I didn't realize the rear turn signals didn't light up like the front ones.  Thanks for that.

[LukeM]

The stock front signals are a dual element bulb.  When the running lights are on, only one element is lit.  Engaging the turn signal "disconnects" the running light, and flashes both elements (double the brightness of the running light).  Pretty neat set up.

The rear signals are off until the turn signals are engaged. You could buy some aftermarket signals that use the dual element bulb, but the stock Honda wiring harness may not support it without some work.

Luke M