Totally dead - need help

[earlfor]

So, although the visible check on the fuses seemed all was ok this furs had failed in unexpected manner.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]56374[/ATTACH]


So i do I have my electrics back, now on to the initial problem... why did I lose power, which I suspect was the failure of a coil leaving me running on two cylinders.

ill test that theory when I have a bit more time by looking for a spark.

The fuse that was faulty was likely the one the ignition circuit was on.

[Redman]

So, although the visible check on the fuses seemed all was ok this furs had failed in unexpected manner.

..............k.

Ah, so the fuse failed just because the fuse failed (not due to excessive high current).

If that is/was the main fuse (15 A); that would explain the "lost all power" after the bike shut off.

If that was the Ignition fuse (10 A); that would explain why the engine quit.

Now: describe better the situation now that have replaced the fuse.

Good that you have a volt meter.

.

[eddypeck]

Yes it was the 15amp main fuse. With this replaced I have power, checked sparks at all 4 plugs and all seem fine. Started bike and seemed ok. Went for a short ride - not too far, didn’t want to get stuck far from home. Bike seemed to be all ok, had power as normal.

Could the breakdown of this fues cause the symptoms described? I guess it broke but electricity was still able to arc across as the bike was already running, although power was interrupted and not able to maintain a strong spark. When I stopped it was no longer to sustain flow and I lost everything... sound feesible or not?

My biggest issue is reliability, I like to use the bike for work which is 30 miles away if I can’t trust the bike to get me there and back then there’s no point having it. I’m happy to carry more spare fuses and if this happened again I’d know the fix. but I’m worried there’s going to be a grater under lying issue. Yes it’s nearly 40 years old but know plenty on here use their bikes daily.

[roeme]

Yes it was the 15amp main fuse. With this replaced I have power, checked sparks at all 4 plugs and all seem fine. Started bike and seemed ok. Went for a short ride - not too far, didn’t want to get stuck far from home. Bike seemed to be all ok, had power as normal.

Could the breakdown of this fues cause the symptoms described? I guess it broke but electricity was still able to arc across as the bike was already running, although power was interrupted and not able to maintain a strong spark. When I stopped it was no longer to sustain flow and I lost everything... sound feesible or not?

My biggest issue is reliability, I like to use the bike for work which is 30 miles away if I can’t trust the bike to get me there and back then there’s no point having it. I’m happy to carry more spare fuses and if this happened again I’d know the fix. but I’m worried there’s going to be a grater under lying issue. Yes it’s nearly 40 years old but know plenty on here use their bikes daily.

A) Don't skimp on maintenance, then the bike will carry you for a long time and many miles.
B) If you have to rely so much on a bike, have a back-up bike and alternate between the two.

The symptoms described are indeed possible with a fuse that is breaking down and only making contact every other combustion cycle.

Also, carry an emergency clutch cable.

On my 550s, the only thing I've had fail due to age were clutch cables, bulbs, and R/R's. In terms of (recurring) maintenance, I've only replaced oil, cleaned carbs and adjusted valves, but I've been a bad boy with all the other stuff, and on top of that I've had spills with both bikes. Still, they always carried me from A to B.

Having more than one running bike gives one more flexibility when it comes to addressing issues.

[earlfor]

Yes it was the 15amp main fuse. With this replaced I have power, checked sparks at all 4 plugs and all seem fine. Started bike and seemed ok. Went for a short ride - not too far, didn’t want to get stuck far from home. Bike seemed to be all ok, had power as normal.

Could the breakdown of this fues cause the symptoms described? I guess it broke but electricity was still able to arc across as the bike was already running, although power was interrupted and not able to maintain a strong spark. When I stopped it was no longer to sustain flow and I lost everything... sound feesible or not?

My biggest issue is reliability, I like to use the bike for work which is 30 miles away if I can’t trust the bike to get me there and back then there’s no point having it. I’m happy to carry more spare fuses and if this happened again I’d know the fix. but I’m worried there’s going to be a grater under lying issue. Yes it’s nearly 40 years old but know plenty on here use their bikes daily.

Most likely that fuse had been in there forever and vibration eventually cracked the glass on it. After that, failure was a certainty. I would carry some spare 20 amp fuses just in case. A spare clutch cable is a good thing to have also.

[Sam 78 GS750]

Glad to hear that everything worked out for you . Sometimes it's the simple things that are wrong like a fuse, and not the big problems that your brain jumps to.