Bike dies/won't start. Electrical problem.

[Meme]

My bike started having a miss today, then died on the highway. Then it wouldn't turn over. The lights and turn signals worked, and when I shorted the starter solenoid it would turn over but not run. I finally got some life by rapping on the fusebox and parts close to it under the storage box under the seat.

Since then it has died on me seven more times and done the hesitation thing about a dozen times or more. I have been kicking the frame by the right passenger peg while holding the clutch and starter to get it going quickly.

Does anyone know what may be causing this?

[JWR]

Sure sounds like a loose wire.

Remove the seat and have a look.
Could be a battery cable.

[Meme]

I had already disconnected and reconnected every connector I could find before rapping on the fuse block. I also pulled and reinserted each fuse.
There are three components under the storage box. The fuse box, a module that I think is the igniter assembly, and a removable block that I can't identify yet.

[blaine]

Originally Posted by Meme

I had already disconnected and reconnected every connector I could find before rapping on the fuse block. I also pulled and reinserted each fuse.
There are three components under the storage box. The fuse box, a module that I think is the igniter assembly, and a removable block that I can't identify yet.

I think the removable block you are talking about is the flasher,side stand relay.Yes,the module is the igniter. :cool:

[Meme]

Thanks for clarifying that. I'm guessing the flasher has nothing to do with the problem. So it's either a loose connector in the fusebox, or something's wrong with the igniter.

[greatmaul]

I'm no expert, but could it be the side stand cut off switch? Maybe it's shorting and killing the engine? It just seems like I've heard that problem before.

[Meme]

I was looking at that when it first happened, but the kickstand didn't seem to have any affect. I really think it's something under the seat, mounted to the front of the rear fender, as kicking the frame near there, or rapping on that mount area directly, has pretty immediate response.

The bike died on me about 5 times in less than a mile after work tonight, and cut out half a dozen times or more. It is horribly unsafe to drive. I left it at work 'til I figure it out or can move it home.

[Gz Rider]

...

[Meme]

I think the miss is it shorting out or, more likely, opening up for just a moment. It won't even try to turn over when it's not working. If I kick the passenger foot peg it starts turning over and fires up. It dies almost immediately most times now, and I have to do it several times to keep it running, but it is definitely an electrical problem. It got progressively worse in the course of one day, so maybe a loose connection in the fuse box.

What does the igniter do?

[Gz Rider]

...