1991 k75 electrical problem

[StephenJ]

Hi
I have been lurking around the forum for year now and have found it very usefull. Untill now. I have a problem that i havent seen before. I had to change the clutch and after putting every thing back i attempted to start as normal, after pressing the starter button the bike suddenly had no power, no lights nothing. Assumed it is an earthing issue, Took out the starter seems ok not dirty plenty of brushs left. Checked the starter relay contacts - no problem. I discovered that if i use a jumper lead to connect the -ve battery terminal to the chassis i get power and can start the bike. If i put the choke in the first position to keep the revs up i can disconnect the lead and she will continue to run. What am i missing.

[Laitch]

If i put the choke in the first position to keep the revs up i can disconnect the lead and she will continue to run. What am i missing.

What happens when you shut it off with the lead disconnected then try to start it again? What is the condition of the battery ground cable that goes to the transmission?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Sounds like you are missing a ground connection somewhere.  With your jury rigged ground disconnected is there anything else that should work not working?

[StephenJ]

Hi guys


Shutting down without the lead leaves her totally dead. The earth lead connecting to the engine casing looks good i cleaned the contact points just in case. If there is some thing odd it would be that the dipped headlight is not working.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Check for continuity between the negative terminal of the battery and the engine someplace other than the terminal of the battery ground cable.  At the other end touch the terminal of the battery not the terminal of the cable.  If the cable and it's connections are good there will be continuity.

If not, pull the negative battery cable out and check it for continuity.  The way I understand what you are telling us is that there is a problem in that cable. 

[StephenJ]

Problem solved. Broken earth strap. Now to fix the lights.

[Laitch]

Broken earth strap.

Would you please let us know the location of that earth strap, if you don't mind?

[StephenJ]

When I say earth strap I mean the -ve battery lead. when we put the transmission back on it was dragged into the bike and had the appearance of being connected to the chassis. I'd like to blame the spanner in my avatar but I should have checked.
Its always the simple things that give the most grief.
 :musicboohoo: