Strange electrical problem

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May 20, 2010 | 05:07 PM

neverdown

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Joined: Jul 2008

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Strange electrical problem

I have a softail custom, self built. Everything worked fine the last time I rode, then put it up for the winter. Today, put in a charged battery. Turn the key, nothing. Now, the bike is leaning to the left, on the kickstand. As I turn the forks to the right, the lights come on.
When I stand the bike upright, lights go out, stay out as I lean the bike again. Turn the forks, lights on. There is no wiring through the bars, no switches on the bars. I checked for shorts in the headlight and the wiring back to the battery. Nothing I can find. Another thing....I have a start push button on the solenoid, which will engage and try to crank, even with key in off position.
I had the tank off this winter and just put it on...thought maybe I damaged a wire, cant find anything.
Any ideas?
Thanks

May 21, 2010 | 01:16 AM

soft 02

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Joined: Mar 2007

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From: TOAK western branch

sounds like the head light might be trieng to ground throught the neck when you turn the bars. double check the ground on the light. As a mechanic usualy electrical issues 90% are ground issues. Maby isolate the ground circut on the light and use a jumper wire to the battery and see if your light issue goes away. funny things can happen when a circut is trieng to find a ground.