Topic: Instant power loss - '71 500F

[Sjohnsone]

Good morning fine people,

Figured I'd run this case by you before I bring it to a shop:

I have a 71 500f that runs very well, haven't really had any problems with it until last week.  I pulled into a parking lot, walked into auto zone, came back out and the bike was absolutely dead.  No power, no kicking, no push starting.  I had the guys at the store check the battery and it read fine. 

After doodling around in the headlight and under the side cover I haphazardly discovered it was an issue with the fuse.  Replaced the 15a fuse and it started right up.  The thinner red wire connecting to the fuse was a little rough but it used some insulating tape on it until i could get a replacement.

Yesterday I rode home, ops normal, no problemo.  Went inside, came back out to go return some movies and buy a chicken and again, my bike is dead.  This time I tried replacing the fuse again and nothing happens except for it continues to be a 400 lb paperweight.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
-Seth

[Greggo]

Sounds like you've got a short somewhere.  Do you have a multimeter and a a shop manual?

[flybox1]

you said you used some insulating tape on the original until you could find a replacement.
fine, but did you actually take the time to fix the wiring issue, or did you just ride it till it died again?   

[Sjohnsone]

I have a Clymer for it with the wiring diagram; however no multimeter, nor an inkling on how to actually use one at all...

I usually am rather upbeat, chipper and confident about being able to fix things...not so much this time.

[Sjohnsone]

Well the short answer is I rode it until it died I suppose, but I don't get paid until friday to buy the inline fuse holder.  I know very very little about electrical systems.

[flybox1]

I would first rule out bad connections at your fuse block.
replace the fuse holder with less than $15 in parts you can get from an auto parts store and about an hour.
upgrade to blade fuses.  trim all wires back so you get good wire exposed before you attach your block connectors.  solder. tape if you have to, but shrink tubing will last you longer.

[Sjohnsone]

Awesome, thanks so much.  This will be a great learning project for me.  I'll keep you updated to how it turns out.