Bike won't start - no electrics working

[Davian]

Hi,

I recently replaced the battery in my bike (Motobatt MB10U -> Katana YB10L-A2), since the Motobatt had died. Bike started up and rode fine with the Katana, did a ~2 hour journey about a week ago. Then rode it again a few days after that, everything perfectly fine again. This morning went to start it and things didn't go so well.....

Turned the key to On, all the lights came on. Then I tried to start the bike and all the lights immediately shut off and nothing else happened - no starter motor, no engine turning over, no clicking, no sounds of any kind. Just lights off and that was it. I tried to start it a few more times after that, but didn't get anywhere at all. No lights came on after the initial failure, no sounds etc.

I checked the fuse in the starter relay, that looked fine. Switched it with the spare anyway (nothing changed). A motorbike mechanic thinks it's a short circuit somewhere, faulty wiring etc. Is this the likely solution? Are there other simple things I can check before I cart it off to a repair centre?

Thanks,

[The Buddha]

Voltage at the battery ? You likely have a disconnect, not a short somewhere. Its like the battery doesn't exist. Open, not short.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Sunny01]

You need a fully charged battery and start your troubleshooting. I just replaced my old battery about 300 miles ago with a cheap online smaller 7amps. Not seeing any over charging and cranks over fine. Now I have time to ride my bike and look for a higher amp battery.

[mr72]

The symptoms look like the battery is dead, which likely indicates it has not been charging while you ride. There are many things to check if this is the case.

[Bluesmudge]

According to the wiring diagram hanging in my garage, the only items between the starter and the battery are the fuse and the starter relay. The only items that can effect the starter relay are the clutch switch, the ignition switch,  the starter switch, and the kill switch.

Put a new battery in. If the new battery doesnt fix your issues, test the above systems with a multimeter. If the new charged battery does solve your problem it's an issue in the charging circuit (more involved diagnosis. Check the above and report back).

Also, are you sure you replaced the fuse? There is a spare fuse holder that can be mistaken for the bike's fuse. This still seems like a short leading to a blown fuse to me.

[The Buddha]

If his headlight went out, its an open, blown fuse yes, but otherwise he has a bad connection maybe at the battery, maybe elsewhere. Swapping a battery is an $$$$ way to find a break in a wire/connection.
Clutch and kick stand and brake etc all come in after the headlight comes on when you turn the key.
Cool.
Buddha.

[IdaSuzi]

Now would be a great time to get a multimeter or borrow one from a friend. Test the voltage at the starter with the key on. Should read 12 volts. If not start tracing from the battery cable to the starter till you can find a break in the wire. It's a little tedious to do and pin the wire but it's the best surefire way to find your problem.

Wires can indeed break internally and I have fixed multiple older cars with electrical problems due to internal breaks in the wire, on the outside they looked totally normal.

Happy hunting!