Bump start, then dies?

[revdev]

So i went out to my bike ('05 F), and tried to start it. But it wouldn't start, and none of the lights came on. I thought, "That sucks, dead battery." So i bump-started it, and it started. I put it in first and rode it into a parking space, let it warm up w/ full choke for about 5 minutes, then went. It ran fine for about 200 feet. As I was coming to a stop, it died. (it might have died right after I pulled the clutch in, but I can't remember). So i bump-started it again. It started, and I revved it for a couple of seconds to keep it going. But it was very, very sputtery, and then it died. Bump-started it again, put choke on full, let it run for 10 minutes. I got on to go, bike was in neutral, then it died again before I could put it into gear (once again, maybe right after I pulled the clutch in? but i don't think so).

I have a full tank of gas, and the petcock is turned to on. Just yesterday I replaced the stock bars with SM2 bars, but I'm pretty sure I hooked everything back up properly, and I don't see anything amiss.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[Chuck]

It could still be your dead battery.  A dead battery will pull a LOT of current from your electrical system.  Have you recharged it fully with a wall charger?  That will probably help.  Also check your cables.  If a cable or terminal is corroded (or a cable fell off), it will run like a turd.  If the battery is hosed (open circuit or shorted cell) that could also cause problems.  If you charge it up overnight and test it with a voltmeter and it reads any less than 12V, you'll need a new one.

[Chilly Willy]

I think you should try putting your stock bars back on and send me the SM2s for inspection.  I'll mount them on my bike and see if a similar issue occurs.  Don't worry, I won't charge you for this service.

[pantablo]

check your fuse too.

[revdev]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them out. By the way, I love the way the SM2 bars change my posture. Before I felt like I was riding a bicycle, now it seems like everything, especially curves, just flows better.

[revdev]

Thanks for the help everyone. Turns out it was a dead battery. I tried charging it, but it was toast, so I went with the sealed Wal-Mart one. Works fine now. I'm pretty sure that I fell victim to the "Park" key position. I just started locking my wheel about a week and a half ago, and apparently I'm dumb and didn't notice that there was a position farther than lock. So I would dismount, turn the bars, then jam the key all the way over, every time I parked for the last week and a half.