Topic: Quitting on the road and finally blew main fuse

[Gaither]

TwoTired

Could be no wandering in the ign sw. Nothing wrong in the sw but dirty.

Got one of the fuses in my hand. Not blown in the center. There are two small pieces of metal [been melted] floating in the center of the fuse. Took it apart - it was burned in two at one end [been very hot]. Gonna blame it on the grungy clips.

Puzzle - Could any of this shut it down 5 times before it blew the fuses?

You da man!!

Thanks much

Gaither

[Gaither]

Basedrop

You make some good points. The battery has a proper strap on it - can't movel. However, you mentioned one place I haven't checked - but I will. That is the back side of the fuse panel. I'll look at it.

It's great there are so many helpful guys like yourself "out there". Makes it far easier for guys like me.

Thanks

Gaither

[Spanner 1]

Poor fuse clips with a film of corrosion ( they need to be completly shiny) would cause an intermittent shutdown of all power to the bike IMO.... clips overheated enough to melt ( not blow ) the fuse eventually...... I'd replace the fuse block with a new 3 x blade fuse ( automotive type ) block.......

[TwoTired]

Puzzle - Could any of this shut it down 5 times before it blew the fuses?

Maybe.  If you had floating metal after the first internal parting, a gap may have occurred and the floating metal inside intermittently bridged the gap.
Kinda depends on if gravity and vibration could play a role.  Was the gap at the top or bottom of the fuse in the holder?

I don't know if fuse block replacement is necessary.  If the clips are kept clean and fuses aren't heating, they seem to work well enough.  All my bikes still use the stock fuse panel, so I have no complaints.

Cheers,

[Gaither]

Spanner1

Thanks - the clips are now clean and bright. A .22 Cal bore brush is perfect for this.

I hope you're right about the "shut-downs". Otherwise, I'm still hunting!

'Might make the change to modern fuses [?].

Thanks

Gaither

[Gaither]

TwoTired

I don't know which position the blown fuse was in when it blew. I just removed it and dropped into my pocket. It did burn out at one end. There was "floating" metal that wound up about the center of the fuse.

Haven't ridden the bike since making the changes. I'm waiting for a buddy to ride with me so I wont get stranded alone.

I've got to inspect the back side of the fuse block. Somehow, I hadn't thought to do that.[I know just enough to be dangerous!] I'll do that and report back.

Can't thank you [and others] enough.

Thanks, again

Gaither

[Raef]

I have the blown fuse shut down syndrome with my current bike a few Times the fuses are always warm when it happens, not sure if it is the vibration loose clips or what but it has only happened one time this year. I was wondering if cheap fuses play any roll in it

[Gaither]

Raef

I got fuses at AutoZone - have several amp ratings  readily available - not expensive and look like good ones - I assume good quality.

[Raef]

I was not talking about your fuses I was wondering out load about mine, and the fact that they seem to give up about once a year

[Gaither]

I HOPE this is a "final report".   '77 CB550F  Here's what I did:

Installed a new ign switch.
1. All plug-in terminals cleaned with Contact Cleaner and lubed with dielectric grease - no heat damage found.
2. Tarnished [some corrosion, too] Fuse Holders polished and "tightened" [a .22 Cal. rifle BORE BRUSH works perfectly].
3. Inspected back side of Fuse panel - perfect condition - NO heat damage.
4. Added "Popwood" ground wire [headlight nut to coil mounting bolt] -obviously NEEDED. 5. Checked for loose connections - found none.
6. Cleaned Battery connections -although in good condition before cleaning.
7. Inspected all wiring - without removing tape covering - no obvious problems - no heat damage found.
*Fuel tank Cap Vent was previously blown out. [This was NOT a fuel problem.]

Finally got time and a day cool enough to ride [heat index been 108]. Put in about 70 miles. She ran like a top out and back. That doesn't mean she's "fixed" but it is a good indication. On previous ride, she would get about 3 miles on a 15 amp Main Fuse! So, it may well be "fixed". We'll see!

TwoTired, crazypg, raef, Spanner 1, basedrop and ALL who helped me have my SINCERE APPRECIATION. - - Remember, I hate wiring and know nothing about it. So I really needed your help!  You saved me from taking it to a shop and spending far too much money!

I felt all involved were at least due a "report".

Thanks, men,

Gaither

[Raef]

Thanks for the update, a 30+ year old bike will always want attention, as all bikes do, not as bad as a boat, but close.

Mark

I can't find a smoking gun but I still lose a fuse now and then, maybe once a year.

[Gaither]

Raef

Yeah, everything I cleaned was tarnished and/or corroded - needed attention.

Once a year I could enjoy. Every 3 miles was a bit much! If it is "fixed", I'll never know just what did the job - but, I could live with not knowing.

Thank for your input.

Gaither

[Shooter]

Just because the initial stages of this thread mentioned petcock  a few times...

When I first got my 77 /550 I had the petcock confused. 

The device outer ring has RES imprinted on it but I never noticed the tiny arrow on the actual lever.  I used to turn the long arm of the lever in the direction that I thought was away from the RES.  In fact..I was running on reserve.  It would stutter and stop until I turned it the other way .  Just like the OP.

(The arow points in the opposite direction to the long arm of the lever.)

For the record.  The Lever points down towards the ground.  ( But you all knew that huh!)

[Gaither]

Thank goodness for Owner's Manuals.

But the last thing we want to do is to read 'em!