Update on strange electrical problem...

[sportpsyc]

Wow. I have now pulled all my hair out. Here is what I have done, and where things stand. I have TWO of these bikes, so I swapped parts on the problem bike with ones from my 2006 bike that I know are working, one by one to try and diagnose the problem:

Neutral switch: No Change
Rectifier/Regulator: No Change
Igniter: No Change
Fuses: All replaced with new for the heck of it.
All wires checked for breaks in insulation, loose connections; nothing found

Last but not least.....drum roll please.....The kickstand switch: The old one was cut and twisted together to override it and keep a constant circuit. Checked the connection, re-taped it, no difference. REPLACED the switch and put a factory original one from the other bike, and it WON'T EVEN RUN! Apparently, the p.o. had some sort of issue with it as well, and found that it corrected his problem by overriding it, and so left it. And it has had no problem for 5 years now. I completely hooked it up, bolted on the switch to the stand, plugged it in, and NOTHING. No headlight, no turn signals, I have a neutral light, but no starter. I reach down, unplug the new kickstand switch plug, and plug in the old stubby plug twisted together, and it goes right back to running but only in neutral. The other REALLY odd thing? When the bike is in neutral, EVERYTHING works perfectly--including the turn signals. The moment you put it in gear, the ignition goes haywire, and the turn signals start blinking really fast when turned on. Anyone have any idea what would cause the bike not to run at all, even in neutral OR with the kickstand up, when I install the proper factory kickstand switch?
Have I mentioned I hate electrical systems? uhg.