550 ltd reserve lighting unit

If you pull the rear fender, then the parts on the bottom of the battery box are seen clearly.

I have reached a conclusion! So, I opened my clymer manual, and looked at the wiring dragram for the 81 U.S. c2. The reserve lighting unit is in there!, so I HAVE to have one right? WRONG! The manual shows it under the right side cover, below the self cancelling turn signal device. I looked at mine, not there, so I start looking for a 6pin plug. Nope. I ordered a used one off ebay, I have it, and I see the color wires I need to be looking for. On my main harness, there are 4 wires, all of which are included on the RLU. They have been cut and taped over. So my BEST conclusion is, the Dingbat before me, cut out the 6 pin plug for WHO KNOWS what reason, and then taped the wires back together bypassing the RLU, which is why 1. I have no RLU on the bike, 2. My headlight warning light is on, and 3. the 6 pin connetor is G-O-N-E! ..... so, i have some splicing to do. Hope this works when I finish.

Ah Sooo!!

I am simply amazed at the Stupidity I have seen with this bike caused by past owners. who would ever CUT OFF a factory plug? simply stupid...

You never said if or not you tried a clean ground at the head light Black/ yellow. As even with the RLU installed you may the ground is the problem. The PO must have been trying to solve something, but didn't do it correctly.

Kinda the same mentality(or lack of) when the "Check Engine" light comes on in some cars. I've seen people put a piece of black tape covering the light on the dash.

Here's some websites for small electrical conectors used in motorcycles:

www.easternbeaver.com
www.vintageconnections.com
www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu
www.electricalconnection.com
www.electricalconnection.com/electrical-components/hitachi.htm

good point. Ive checked it using ohms. which u said it doesnt carry any current. answer this though. Does the RLU need to be in the circuit to have a bright headlight?

Not if rewired correctly, but then when a low or high burns out it will be OUT. No automatic switching will take place, also you would rewire the warning light function or take out the bulb.

How does your 6 pin plug, feed into your main harness? does it plice off the main line to the RLU? the places he taped over, were not cut all the way through. the insulation is opened and only 2 or 3 strands of copper are missing, which is why i think thats where the RLU used to be.

Remember my 55 is the year before/ no RLU. But both of my 82 bikes have it, there are pdf manuals here on this site you can download for free if you don't have 1. I would say you would need 1.

what is the proper way to re-wire it? it might be easier than to "re-wire" one back in.