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Does anyone know if on older Hondas the tail light intentionally stays off while riding? I have an 82 CM450E and the brake light comes on when the brakes are applied but there is no constant "running" light on the tail like on more modern bikes. The tail light comes on when the ignition is in park, so I know that the wiring is correct. I have followed a wiring diagram and everthing appears to work correctly. Where I live it is a law to have a tailight (it's also just safer) so I need to find a way to fix this.

Your tail light should burn at all time. Have you replaced the light bulb?? If you have and the light still does not work there is something wrong with the wiring.

If your taillight works in the rather useless park position your bulb is fine. My 1984 V65 Sabre taillight got similarly flaky after 20 years. In my case the problem turned out to be the ignition switch.