Electrical issues help plz
 

So it started the other day. My instrument cluster, front and rear turn signal/brake lights and horn stopped working. The bike still turned over and headlights work. My first thought was to replace the fuses. Which worked for all but the tail lights. So after a short ride to work everything stopped working again. It had been raining, bike sits in an alley between two houses and get minimal but some water. It's a 2004. If someone has ideas/thoughts lemme know before I spend big bucks at the shop.

Sounds like a fault in the wiring harness (broken or short circuit in the wires) Inspect the wiring, not forgetting to remove the tank (if necessary) and inside the headlight. It's a job you can do yourself, but you need to be thorough. :tup:

THe wiring under the tank deals with the most stress. So it's probably in there somewhere. Pull the tank (just 2 bolts and 2 vacuum lines) and have a look-see ;)

Exactly. Look for any wires touching the cylinder head. That's what caused fuses to blow in mine.

Also take a good hard look at the wiring harness that goes to the headlight. There is a lot of stress/flex and wear whenever the bars are turned and the harness is moving at the steering head.

This too!

When you got that new battery, did you give it a 24 hour trickle charge before riding?

The only thing that was keeping your bike running was the electricity stored in the battery. As you would accelerate, which should charge your battery and run your electrical systems, you saw the light dim. The light was dimming because that acceleration was draining your battery.

Your charging circuit is bad.

You're going to have to pull out the volt meter and figure out what's going on. Anything less than 13.4v at idle and the bike is not charging the battery.