Took the bike for a spin last week. After about 15 miles came to a T junction and as I slowed the engine cut out and I was surrounded by a cloud of smoke from the sheath of the wire running from the headstock (lead from under the coil mounting to the battery positive terminal). After insulating bits of wire exposed I was able to ride the 5 miles home without a problem. Tested various circuits by disconnecting them in turn but could find no fault. Reconnected everyting except the zeners and rectifier. Bike ran fine (without charging of course). Reconnected and rode up the road. As soon as I came to a stop for a T junction the engine cutout and I was wreathed in smoke from the replaced wire. Has this happened to anyone else? The ignition is a Pazon if that is relevant.
Sounds like a massive shor…
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Hi Rob, I had a similar si…
Hi Rob,
I had a similar situation but luckily I have a fuse in the circuit !
What happened with me was the wiring loom as it went passed the oil tank had slowly been wornthroughwhere it was pinched between the battery and the oil tank. The wire causing the problem was related to the brake lights so it only blew the fuse when the engine was running (the vibration moving the wires around) and I had the brakes on. As the engine was running the blown fuse was not a problem until the speed dropped low enough that the alternator could not generate enough amps. Then it stopped. Replace fuse and drive away only for it to happen again next time the vibration and brakes lined up.
Regards
Tony
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Hi Guys, Thanks for the in…
Hi Guys, Thanks for the inputs. I found the lead from the solenoid to the ballast resistor was abraded and burnt through behind the battery. This didn't matter as I have Pazon ignition so no ballast but the wire was still live from the solenoid. I contacted Al Osborne who hit the nail on the head immediately as a short from the live wire between battery and the solenoid which of course doesn't go through the fuse! I can't be sure of the exact point of contact AO suggested the seat pan but I suspect it might have been the side panel. Certainly both ends of the starter live wire had some copper exposed. I've now replaced the burnt out return wires and we are up and running again. I shall consider some further insulation moves as I don't want that happening again! AO says that a similar problem wit Triumphs can result in exploding batteries!
Thanks again for your help.
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Sounds like a massive short circuit with the only battery to earth lead being the one to near your coils. Because the short is happening when you stop, examine any wires that are moving during braking (including your brake light) near your front suspension. Ask yourself, "what was the last thing I was fiddling with before I had this problem?" and look closely at that. Lastly, buy a fire extinguisher. A friend of mine's Bimota burnt out completely after a respray and rebuild!! and my Commando battery shifted and shorted out giving a red hot earth wire disappearing under the tank, not good.