2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 tail lights, brake light, rear turn signals do not work when the ignition switch is in the on position but the lights do work when the ignition switch is set to park.

you are missing a ground wire
what is happening is when you have the tail light on it is grounding out through the brake light so that when the brake is applied the current is stopping that taillight working by pushing current back through the bulb
the same principle that puts out the charge light when the alternator starts working

If it follows the rest of Kawi's line-up, (and it probably does): 5 wire?!

Brown=Ignition
White= Battery
Gray=Ignition
Blue=Taillamp 1
Red=Taillamp 2

Brown is for things that need to be energized, like the rad. fan, etc.
Gray is for the ignition/ignitors themselves.
Connecting white, brown and gray should get you going. Add blue for lights.

Red, together with white is for parking lights.

The stock turn signals have 3 wires1) Positive for turn signal2) Positive for cruising light (comes on with the light switch's 1st click)3) Ground.Obviously you can either replace the entire turn signal with the aftermarket one and stop using the cruising light or bypass the positive wire for the turn signal only, to the aftermarket one, and leave the original turn signal with the cruising light only.

The ignition switch has three positions. Off at 6 o'clock, on at about 7 o'clock and park at 9 o'clock which will leave the tail light on and also shut the bike off. Just have to make sure when you turn the ignition off that the key is straight up and down.

The following wiring diagram applies for Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan motorcycle series. Herein you will find complete and clear description of ignition switch, radiator fan switch,temperature sensor, radiator fan, handlebar switches, rectifier, speedometer, headlight, spark plugs, tail brakelights, signal lights, alternator and battery.http://www.mediafire.com/?eztezdedw0n

well i would try the switch and see and if that doesnt work then check the wiring for a loose connection or ground or maybe it could be as ez as checking the light bulb it might be loose in the socket

Have 2002 Vulcan 1600 Drifter. The tail and brake lights will not work. They were working rear turn signals do. It blew the fuse twice, now it is not blowing the fuse but still no lights. Got power to the fuse and leaving it not arriving at the rear light. The plug in,before it goes inside the rear fender, what color wires are what so I can check if things are arriving there O.K.?