[scarecrow]

looks like i got a bit of a problem. i thought the bike was just riding rough, but then the engine started cutting out on me - hard to describe - at first just bucking, backfiring, and then the speedo/throttle just started cutting out wildly, and then it developed into the bike dying completely when i pulled the clutch lever - that happened three times, at speed, on the highway - also happened when i got off the highway twice at a stop - not fun.

my v-gauge lite, which is connected direct to the ECM, died a number of times too, and then came back on, if that helps.

we did some work on the bike this past weekend, but nothing i can think of that would affect this:
progressive 440 shocks, progressive front fork springs, SE fork oil, fork boots, rear axle covers, turn signal relo, oil change, handlebar adjustment.

any advice? i feel like i've seen this kind of thing raised before, but cant find any good threads.

thanks
crow

 

[Torinate]

Battery OK?

Pinched a wire moving things around causing a short?

 

[Vrod-Mike]

Since the vgauge also died I'll assume it's an electrical problem. Check the connections at the battery and also check to make sure the Maxi fuse is plugged all the way in.

 

[vrodderD]

..Pinched a wire moving things around causing a short?

That's what I was thinking. First time I installed my PCIII, I pinched the horn wire and the fuse would blow each time I used it.

 

[ohioVROD]

Check all your grounds make sure they are properly connected!

 

[scarecrow]

hmm, we didnt touch the maxi fuse or the battery but will check em....

 

[Torinate]

Especially check the wires in and around where you were working. I've done it too... Put a trim screw through a wire (accidently) and ended up checking everything associated with my lights. (truck - not bike though) Only to have my wise-ass brother say, did you happen to be doing anything to the truck before this happened? Ah... yea, just intalled a piece of trim back on... Sure enough, screwed right through a wire. 5 minute fix after 4 hours of cursing and one simple question...

Good luck. Expect it to be a wiring "glitch"

 

[pwrman]

Gauges going nuts sounds like a loose ground. Happened to my R, ground on top of cylinder head came loose. All the gauges went crazy and then the bike quit.

 

[scarecrow]

crap. maxi fuse looked fine.

are the "grounds" the 2 red wires near the battery that have fuses under the caps that screw together? one of them is separated from the red wire. see photo.

and then i tried to start it, and it sparked, and now the whole bike is dead, even when i hold the end of that red wire back in place with the fuse. did i just totally short out the bike?

 

[Vrod-Mike]

crap. maxi fuse looked fine.

are the "grounds" the 2 red wires near the battery that have fuses under the caps that screw together? one of them is separated from the red wire. see photo.

and then i tried to start it, and it sparked, and now the whole bike is dead, even when i hold the end of that red wire back in place with the fuse. did i just totally short out the bike?

Anything with a fuse is a power wire not a ground. Don't hook those up to the negative side of the battery.

 

[scarecrow]

they're already hooked up where they're hooked up, i didnt touch that. seems like this might be my problem, no?

i'm just worried that even if i fix this connection, which looks broken, i've now shorted out the bike/battery by trying to start it with this unconnected.

 

[Torinate]

Start checking fuses. More than likely all you did was burn a fuse.

Do you have any power anywhere or is bike / lights dead?

 

[scarecrow]

update: that pic i posted i realized was the wires for the dumb cheap LED's i put on. i think somehow that was loose or interfering with the battery connectors (which it's hooked directly to). and when i was playing with it, the power was cutting on and off, and the battery leads were loose. just unwired the LED's. i have power back now. am going for a ride. will report back......thanks for the help so far. will cross my fingers it was just that interfering.

crow

 

[Torinate]

Yay!!!

I hope that's it! Sounds about exactly right though!

Good luck!

 

[scarecrow]

seems to be running well now. only about a 5 mile ride, but i think that was it. too bad, i liked those cheap orange LED's. maybe i'll get some real ones someday, and wire them more professionally.

thanks all. simplest things sometimes, huh.

 

[vrodderD]

Glad you got it resolved. Those electrical gremlins can be a bear to track down sometimes.

 

[ohioVROD]

Nice work u r couple more mods away from tackling engine work. HAHA

 

[Heavens Thunder]

Glad to hear it is okay again . Would be a great idea to make sure you have a fully charged battery.