If your /7 does not have a fairing, remove the headlight assembly and play detective. If it has a fairing, remove the fairing and then the headlight and play detective. As a wild ass guess, I would assume that the only thing in a headlight bucket that might make a buzzing sound would be a relay. I owned a /7 for several years, but that issue never surfaced in my bike.

As a wild ass guess, I would assume that the only thing in a headlight bucket that might make a buzzing sound would be a relay.

That would be my guess as well. On the /7 there are 2 "cans" inside the headlamp shell. As viewed from the front with the glass removed they are one relay at 5 o'clock and one flasher unit at 7 o'clock. Both these are attached to the bucket with Phillips head screws. If the screws, which are accessible from the outside, are loose you might get a buzz.

Look first at the lower rider's side of the bucket, for 2 screws which may be loose or missing. I think they are 4mm with separate hex nuts on the inside. They might tighten from the outside only, but my guess is that the reflector has to come off to hold the hex nuts.

fyi- the buzz was from the headlight relay. the cause was corroded plug-ins at the starter relay. the ignition switch was bad, which confused the situation somewhat. all fixed and running perfect.... for now.

fyi- the buzz was from the headlight relay. the cause was corroded plug-ins at the starter relay. the ignition switch was bad, which confused the situation somewhat.

I'm glad for the good report and especially that you're back on the road again.

Simply for my own knowledge and clarification, let me ask you to go over your statement. So the headlamp relay was loose inside the headlamp shell, and that was the buzz ? Then you also found something wrong with the starter relay ? The starter relay on a 1979 is a "mini-cube" under the fuel tank.

Just so you know and possibly to assist you in a more complete repair, that relay is mounted directly beneath the brake master cyl and problems with the starter relay can often be initiated by leaking brake fluid from the m/c. So a wash up and sealing of the m/c may also be needed. Secondly, power from the battery passes through that relay and both #87 terminals (with the Red wire) have to make good connections or the ignition switch doesn't receive any power.

I'm wondering if you would care to comment. Thanks.

so after more intermittent working/not working i cleaned the the starter relay terminals and now i'm good to go. thank you for steering a rookie electrician in the right direction.

And did you see the response in your other parallel thread ?.....

https://www.airheads.org/forum/my-airhead-needs-help/512-1979-r80-7-replacement-ignition-switch