Hitchcocks Forum

I've read recently on this forum someone suggesting bypassing all the wires and starting the bike without the key in, to check in case of a break in the circuit anywhere. So as it was a pleasant afternoon, I've practised hot wiring the car, which is easy.... wire to + on battery and to + on coil and a screwdriver across the terminals to activate the starter motor. So why can't I do it on the bike??? What am I missing? Yr 2000 500cc Bullet so obviously just one wire and kick it I would have thought? Thanks, Chris

Should work unless there`s a safety cut out switch fitted somewhere or a flat battery.

What has lead up to this? Symptoms?

Thanks Jaffa and Adrian: No problems at all.. just that it was a nice day yesterday and thought I should practise my hot wiring IN CASE of a breakdown. One problem we all probably get sooner or later is a break in a wire or a connector off, but we don't know where, or on the side of the road can't realistically dismantle it. So bypassing it would be useful. I tried battery+ to coil+ but nothing. (I think a coil would work if its terminals are reversed too, but mine isn't!) Thanks, Chris

Hot-wiring does not work as most bike ignitions rely on a ground from the ignition + to earth to stop the engine.

Hi CHRIS----------( Is this is a 2000, iron-barreled 500 with a distributor across the rear of the engine ????)...So,at the coil terminals identify the Black/White lead that should be attached to the NEGative side, and goes to the points..............IMPORTANT}----Remove the other connectors on the POSitive side of the coil, and tape them together.......Attach your jumper lead to the POSitive connector on the coil and to the POSitive terminal of the battery..You now have a "stand-alone" ignition circuit... Remove the Spark Plug and keep it earthed on the Cyl. head...........Remove the points cover, turn the engine such that the points are closed, then flick the points open and you should get a sharp, blue "CRACK" at the plug....... I had need to do this on a Bullet 65 a few years ago and this got me home OK ------------------ only later did I discover that my old fashioned gauntlets had knocked the red "Kill Switch" into the OFF position ( ie it goes into "Open Circuit" mode, not shorted to earth ).............

I now have a picture in my mind of an external combustion engine; Alan happily sailing down the road with one hand on the bars and the other holding the plug to the side of the engine. I'm off to give it a try myself.... worried about damp getting into the newly exposed points, so, as soon as the rain stops. OK, just taken my tablet. Alan, can I CHECK then, that it's both [+] and [-] coil wires now connected TOGETHER and then to the NEG terminal of the coil. And the jump cable straight from battery[+] to coil[+]. Then kick it over. Yes, you got the right engine; the distributor behind the engine etc.

Whoa-there CHRIS !!!----------- This is the how it should look when done}---------------- the single black/white wire from the distributor stays connected just where it is on the coil..........the other leads are removed from the coil's other connector and either taped or rubber banded together ( just for tidiness---- )...You now connect your jumper lead onto that bare coil terminal and onto the battery live terminal..

Thanks Alan, I think I'm going in the right direction now. Probably won't break down and need it now you've told me! ATB, Chris

Hi Lads just a point should you not think that every no good now has the knowledge of removing your pride and joy,they may break a leg but if he is in the know well it is good bye Dana.
Rod