Failing Running Lights

[cpsiohio]

I have a 82 CB750K.  I don't think my forward running lights have ever worked (I thought they were only turn signals), and recently my back running light has stopped working.  I have checked all of the bulbs and the filaments are all good.  The sockets seem to be good too.  Any suggestions on what I can check and where I should check it to identify this problem?

Thanks!
Allen

[sgtslag]

Allen, check the fuses, first, and foremost.  Don't just eyeball them, as they can develop a minute break, rather than burning open.  You will need to use an Ohmmeter:  Digital Volt/Ohm Meters can be purchased at nearly every DIY store, or Harbor Freight, for anywhere from $5-$20, for very good meters.  They are indispensable for for electrical troubleshooting.

If the fuses are reading as shorts/zero Ohms (some meters read 0-6 Ohms when the leads are shorted -- check your meter so you know what it reads when you genuinely have zero Ohms...), then switch it to DC Volts, and measure what the voltage is at the sockets.  It should read 12+ Volts, with the running at 2k RPM's.  If it reads 10 Volts, or less, check your battery's terminals and make sure it is charging (should be 13+ Volts when charging).  If you get some low voltage at the sockets (less than 12+ when fast idling), then you have a bad connection somewhere.  Make some tests, and let us know what you find.

I would also recommend either testing the bulbs with the Ohmmeter (just to be thorough, they should read less than 100 Ohms), just to make sure they're good, as they, too can burn open and look good.  Cheers!

[cpsiohio]

Thanks!  
It absolutely was the fuse!
Allen

[TOOLS1]

A multimeter is a great tool, but a simple test light (looks like an ice pick with a wire coming out the handle) will trouble shoot most any electrical problem, and is a lot easier to use.
TOOLS