Lights cut out when put in gear

[Guest]

Great a new problem on my 1977 GS550. When I turn the key while the bike is in neutral, all lights work (backlight of the speedo and tach, turn signals, headlight, etc.). As soon as I put it in first, the headlight and back lights cut out but gear indicator works. When I shift it into 2nd, the gear indicator shows an 8.

Side note: this is all while the bike is off. The tank is being professionally cleaned at the moment, so I am unsure whether or not she starts right now.

I I am basically looking for a starting point to check. I am armed with a multimeter, standing by.

[collinsra]

Okay, so update:

in neutral, all lights are inop except the neutral light.

when put in 1st, all lights work to include the headlight and shift indicator.

When put on 2nd, all lights go out

when put in 3rd, all lights come back on but the shift indicator reads 8 and turn signals barely illuminate

[Gorminrider]

Have you a manual? I'm afraid there's no escape from perusing a wiring diagram in this instance.
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/ and start following those colours.

[collinsra]

No manual as of now. Need to fix that.

After looking over it more there's definitely a burning smell coming from the gear shift indicator. Must have been fried for some reason. Is there a way to remove that and just not have one? Or is it on to eBay and find a new one? I suspect that to be the issue. The bike still gets power, just cuts off all funky.

[cowboyup3371]

You can get the service manual at the same site linked above.

[tom203]

Disconnect shift indicator wiring and see if other things behave normally.

[collinsra]

Disconnect shift indicator wiring and see if other things behave normally.

When its disconnected I get nothing at all. There are two tires that tie into the instrument housing I assume. The rest go into the shift indicator.

[collinsra]

And I'm a liar. Everything works seemingly with it disconnected....however my electric start isn't working. Investigating that using the wiring diagram.

[collinsra]

Okay so tested another wiring harness I had for the starter and that starts the bike up....or at least turns it. So looks like I just need a new gear shift indicator. Problem solved-ish.

[collinsra]

And problem solved. Looks like the shift indicator light panel was fried. Rdered a new one off eBay, hooked it up and works perfect again.

[chef1366]

Check for overcharging. You should not get over 14.8 with the bike running at 5K.

[collinsra]

Turns out it wasn't grounded properly. Had a buddy look it over before i put the new one on.