Forum

[Chris [Stockport]]

Year 2000 Bullet 500: Every so often, the engine cuts out and I notice that the ammeter needle is at the far left[-].Kicking the engine over doesn't make it move in the normal way. And while it's at the far left the engine won't start. Then it comes back and all is normal a minute later..This is good, but doesn't give me a chance to wiggle contacts and see if it makes things any better. So it's hard to diagnose. The bike runs absolutely perfectly in all ways otherwise.Anyone else had this or can point me in the right direction? (I've put new points and condenser in to see if that helps, but it is just the same.) Thanks, Chris

[Beezabryan]

Ammeterneedle fully left indicates a dead short, so somewhere a live lead that does not go through the fuse probably a connector not fully shielded bouncing off metal metal.

[Chris [Stockport]]

Thanks for the reply. One other problem I have is the light switch; the FLASH keeps sticking in the on position, so I'll be changing or trying to repair that soon. I wonder if it's coming apart inside and shorting? It certainly doesn't feel good. -C

[Chris [Stockport]]

I've changed the switch and checked as much wiring as I can see; inside the casquette, under the seat etc. No sign of potential shorting anywhere. The engine still dies after 5ish miles, ammeter goes to the left and by the time I get parked up and look, it's normally ok and fires up/ runs beautifully. It would be a lot easier if it wouldn't repair itself so quickly as I've no time to find anything.
I'm not looking forward to this when up hill at lights or when leaning the bike over (a bit!!!) or whatever. Help!
Can anyone think of a particular item... coil or whatever that could be continuing to give a similar problem. Would be easier to test...

Thanks for any further ideas,

Regards, Chris

[Gwilly]

Chris i was thinking condenser or coil, So i think grab a new coil and throw it in.. its the only thing i can think of that will short out but still give enough resistance not to blow the fuse, i.e. unlike a wiring short which would be far more random and probably be in evidence as soon as you turn on ignition or lights... gwilly

[Thack]

If you can't find the fault, you'll have to start disconnecting stuff to see if you can home in on the problem. Have you got a wiring diagram?

[Chris [Stockport]]

Thanks for the replies.
Just for the record: In case it helps anyone else, several other people suggested the coil too, as it might start off ok but go wrong on heating up. In fact I traced it to a fault with the cut off switch on the side stand, Will have a look when I get round to it to see if it's the switch itself or the contacts to it. I have just by-passed it for the time being and all is well. Which is a good thing as I rode all the way home problem free today; the kick start started the bike 1st time and has now gone very floppy. At least I know what to repair now. Thanks again, -Chris

[Thack]

Hey, Chris, well done for tracking that down. And thanks for letting us know. So do we assume that the sidestand switch just shorts out the points? That would explain why the ammeter showed a permanent discharge.

[Norm]

Chris, there is no way we could have ever picked that, an early Bullet with a sidestand switch, 2000 model with a starter motor? otherwise no need for sidestand switch, even up till 2008 Bullets didn't have a sidestand switch because they didn't come from the factory with a sidestand at least out here they didn't

[Thack]

Hey, Norm, whereabouts are you? I ask because my 'O2 Bullet had a side stand and electric start. I bought mine from Haywards, at Cambridge, UK.