Author Topic: K75s suddenly won't start  (Read 3953 times)

Offline Garren

  • Curious
  • Posts: 3
K75s suddenly won't start
« on: July 24, 2015, 02:19:36 PM »
Hello everyone,
First time posting on my new 1988 k75s and sadly with an issue I can't quite figure out. Yesterday, stopped to grab a water at 7/11, came out started the bike and then the bike promptly shut off and I lost all gauge lights except for the clock. Park lights are working fine and battery has now been pulled and checked as has the starter wiring and both are good. Ran electric cleaner on the kill switch as well.
I think it's the engine kill switch but I don't know how to check or bypass it. And thoughts/ help would be appreciated.
  • Chicago, IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2308
Re: K75s suddenly won't start
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2015, 03:01:33 PM »
Sounds like it is the ignition switch.  Loose / broken wires at the switch or just plain dirty.  Disassemble and clean the switch.
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline Tuco

  • Gone ridin' !
  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 249
  • Ready, Set, Go!
Re: K75s suddenly won't start
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2015, 03:27:24 PM »
Last  year I rode my LT home in the most  hellacious storm, bike did great, me not all that well. Next morning dead, nothin'. Turned out to be the battery.  No warning before  beforehand.
  • Waldport, Oregon
  • '87 K100LT, '87 K100RS, '97 DR350

Offline K75rt

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 24
Re: K75s suddenly won't start
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2015, 06:16:36 PM »
Do you use the red on/off switch on the right switchgear to turn the bike off?  That's how mine reacted when mine got flaky.  Fixed by replacing with a used euro-spec (with the yellow slide headlight switch) from Drake.

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 6857
Re: K75s suddenly won't start
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2015, 10:28:20 PM »
Sounds like it is the ignition switch.  Loose / broken wires at the switch or just plain dirty.  Disassemble and clean the switch.

+1 Been there, done that.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline Garren

  • Curious
  • Posts: 3
Re: K75s suddenly won't start
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2015, 12:43:59 PM »
Thanks to all who replied! It was indeed the ignition switch being filthy at the connector under the tank. I got so caught up thinking about one end of the ignition being bad I completely forgot about the other end. A little electric cleaner and she runs like a top again!
  • Chicago, IL
  • 1988 K75S

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