Electrical death on the side of the highway

[eyeofcy]

lunchtime at work, I turn the key to on and get nothing.  No lights even the clock (which is on with the key off...goes blank in the run position)  I wiggle the key a few times and suddenly I get lights on the gauges.  I start the bike and go to lunch.  after lunch I start the bike normally and go back to work.  After work, key on, instrument lights on, press the starter...everything goes dead.  key off, key on several times and I'm able to start the bike normally.  Stopped at a light in traffig and it dies, no power.  Wrecker called.

Sorry, forgot to say this was my 87 K100RS.  I was thinking ignition switch at first but I have no headlights, taillights etc.  So now I'm thinking a ground somewhere.  Anybody want to chime in?  This is my daily roller and I need to get her back in service.  Someone suggested that as I had just ordered a $1000 low mileage transmission for my K1200LT on Ebay, that the RS was just throwing a jealous tantrum.

[Inge K.]

Must probably your ignition switch, here is a "how to" dismantle and clean,
but it won`t hurt to also check the tiny main earth between battery and gearbox.

Inge K.

[Rick G]

Ignition switch is possible but with the clock going out as well I would be more inclined to check over all the battery connections, earth points and fuses. There is probably some corosion present which is causing an intermittent open circuit. Get some DeoxIt to clean the connections. It is so good that I think it's an extract from a magic wand. It cleans the surfaces so a good electrical connection is present doesn't just cover it with goo that makes more problems down the track, like WD40 or RP7.

[eyeofcy]

I tend to agree that it's more than the ignition switch as the emefgency flashers don't work as well.  I assume they run right off the battery (thru a fuse) so the ignition switch shouldn't enter into it.  I have my meter and will be visiting the issue today after work.  I will post the results.

[frankenduck]

Flasher relay problems are often a symptom of http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,1100.0.html