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[Richy2spanners]

Hi Guys,
A 2009 classic efi Bullet. New battery fitted last week and running fine. Last night I started it ok but as soon as I turned the lights on it died. It started again strongly on electric start but which ever light I tried ( indicator, brake etc) the engine cut out. Every time it started immediately. However got it going and rode it around the car park for a couple of minutes and it let me use the lights and kept going fine all the way home? The new battery is the new change , I was careful to wire it in exactly to replace the dead one. Could it just be damp electrics or something else. Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

[loco builder bri]

charge the battery.

[PeteF]

If the battery starts the engine on the electric start then there can't be much wrong with it. Sounds like an intermittent short on the lighting circuit.

[Rattlebattle]

My thought exactly.

[jefrs]

Do check the battery terminals; there are more than the one thick wire on each one, the bent metal strip terminal connectors are on the weak side and can split, you may have lost a wire there swapping the battery, check along the thin wires because I think they have in-line connectors behind the battery box. Without checking the diagrams, the thick wires are starter and alternator, the thin ones probably to electrics box to power the lights and ancillaries. Could be a duff bulb or partial short anywhere in the system. Check the fuses because the indian ones corrode to rubbish.

A new battery has been sat on a shelf, not necessarily fully charged, but if it has enough to start the motor you should be able to run the entire bike on it even if the alternator has packed up (a get you home trick was to wire up a car battery mounted on the rear rack). Puzzling.

[jefrs]

I always think, "what did I do before it went wrong" you changed the battery - start there.

[Richy2spanners]

Finally found it. Jefrs spot on. One of the small wires at battery connection had snapped off. Quick jungle fix with penknife and screwdriver until I can fix it properly but all good in the garage. Thanks for young help gents.