A couple of weeks ago I went to fire up the Sporty (2000 XL1200C) for the commute:

-Ignition switch to “on”
-Lights come on like normal
-Tranny in neutral
-Kill switch to “on”
-Hit the starter button – I hear a relay click and everything goes dead.
-No amount of fiddling with the switch, etc. would bring her to life. No lights, nothing.

That evening, she starts up just fine. Same over the next couple weeks, fires right up.

This morning – you guessed it.

Although this time I managed to get the lights to come back on a couple of times by wiggling the front end around. But each time, starter button/relay click/dead.

I’m suspecting an intermittent short/pinched wire somewhere but, man, I hate trying to trace out a wiring harness...

...and you just KNOW it'll fire right up when I get home. After I've missed another day of open air, 80 degrees and sunshine - and have to wait in line for the ferry with the other cagers...

FWIW – both occurrences have been early morning, after the bike has sat out (covered) unridden for a few days. Condensation playing tricks, perhaps?


Thanks for any ideas!

 

Before chasing the little wires around, start at the source. Make sure your battery is good, holds a charge and the battery cables are both in good shape and securely attached and that the terminals are clean to make good contact.

 

Had the same issue with my o6 st glide, pain in the butt, finally sourced the problem to system on relay. Some bikes the system relay and brake light relay are the same and can be switch to verify the problem.

 

If that were the case it wouldnt have started that evening either

 

Maybe you have a queer electron. Loose cable and/or corrosion can play tricks on you. If it sits outside for days, best to check all fuses and relay terminals for corrosion and put some di-electric grease on all connections including both ends of both battery cables.

 

Also wouldn't hurt to change the relays as they may be corroded on the inside and the relay contact is not making a good connection.

 

check the ground cable from the battery to the motor. My boys 2000 had some of the same issues . The cable was broke. Sometimes it would make contact and sometimes it wouldn't.

 

Had the same thing happen today and found the ground cable on the battery not fully tight. Moved it around and fired right up. Still have to tighten it down , though hehe.

 

Also sometimes when you slide the battery out to check the cable connections all is fine but when you slide the battery back in the cable swivels on the connection loosening it.

 

+1

been there....
shot you a message with more details, should be in your "in-box".