CA77 Rear Tail Light Problem

[quidger]

I'm about done re-assembling the 1968 Dream and I have one little snag that I hit. I would like to ask for some advice.

Electrical was 100% fine when I disassembled the bike. Upon reassembly all electrical is working well with the exception of everything related to the tail and brake light.

I had to do a lot of Bondo work on the top and near the brake light mounting holes area of the rear fender. I assume that the tail light uses the fender as a ground so I chipped off the Bondo to expose bare metal at the contact points where the brake light housing mounts to the fender. I sanded off all paint on the housing so that the two bare metals would have good contact area. Still no lighting for any of the rear light functions. I decided to try to circumvent the fender as a ground and directly ground the lamp. So I thought if I ran a ground wire directly from the tail light ground (copper wire ground that goes directly to the bulb) and clamped it to the motor fins that I should get a solid ground and thus, lights. No cigar. Should this maneuver have given me a good ground?

I am certain that the bulb itself is good.

I also checked and cleaned the connection where the wires are soldered to the bulb.

There were a few bare spots on the blue and the white wires that were in evidence when I took the bike apart. I electrical taped all of these area before I reassembled the bike. Wouldn't think that this would be an issue since the tail light functioned well prior to dis-assembly and prior to the electrical tape being applied.

I'm not sure how I might be able to test the connections with a multimeter or even if this is a situation where I should use a multimeter.

So if someone can give me some guidance or ideas on what they think the issue might be, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[conbs]

Looks like this thread should be in the electrical Forum. It could get long, so maybe better to start it there.