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[Thack]

Hey, papa, I don't suppose you've got a circuit diagram for it, have you?



Yours definitely has non-standard wiring, so I wonder who did it that way, and why. You say it was assembled here in the UK - was it a grey import or something, do you mean?



All very strange and interesting!

[Thack]

PS: I'm sorry you feel you are beating your head against a brick wall. It's just that you put us off by saying it's been a UK standard for years, which implies that all our recent Bullets must be like that, and all other bikes sold in the UK too, and we know for a fact they aren't. So far we know Triumph and Suzuki use that system, whereas Honda definitely don't, and I don't think Kawasaki do.



Anyway, thanks for your forbearance - you are helping us accumulate more collective knowledge.



As I said, more info about your particular bike would be great.

[papasmurf]

Thack, My 2006 Electra X(ish) was assembled in the UK. The "official" wiring diagrams appear to be no use in the case of my machine. All I do know is if I do not pull the clutch in when using the electric start it will not start.
To start on the electric start require the side stand to be up and the clutch pulled in.
It would be astounded if my machine was the only UK one like it.
Having had a trawl of the internet a lot of people have been caught out on a wide range of makes of motorcycle in Britain. Even fitting non original equipment clutch lever after bending the original has been causing people problems as the aftermarket lever often does not depress the micro switch which which make the ignition live when using the electric start.
(I have come across similar problems with twist and go scooters imported from China which will not start on either the kick or electric start unless the brake lever is applied. I only found that out myself after a local lad was "sold a pup" from a dodgy importer, and I had stripped the machine and rebuilt it because it have never had a Pre Delivery Inspection.)

[Thack]

That's fascinating, papasmurf. So how come your bike was assembled in the UK? And who did the assembly?



I had an '06 Electra X and I'm as sure as can be it was assembled in India. It certainly used the standard wiring.



By the way, when I lived in Suffolk I was fairly close to that company that imported Indian-spec Bullets, stripped out the engine and fitted a diesel. It was a Japanese engine, but I can't remember the make. I had my Electra X at the time and got chance to take a good look at one, so obviously I was very interested. It was bleedin' noisy!



I believe they made all the necessary changes to bring it to meet the UK regulations. If I recall correctly it was quite expensive. I don't think they sold that many.

[papasmurf]

Thack my "Electra" was assembled by someone who decided to make a "copy" of the 200 "replica" 1955 Bullet trials bikes that Watsonian Squire did a few years ago.
I don't think the first owner had ever used the electric start, and had hardly used then bike at all. It still only has 3400 miles on it.(He was also not very technically minded.)
The handle bar "furniture" appears to be Yamaha, (right hand mirror has a left hand thread)
I also removed the number plate and fitted a traditional one from our hosts so I could fit pannier frames. (It has an up swept exhaust so I can only get a tool roll on the right hand pannier.)
I have also fitted a stainless steel rain flap on the end of the exhaust so the exhaust pipe does not fill up with water if the bike in parked in the rain.
Before I could ride it, I also had to make and fit a low seat, which is curved to fit the top contour of the bike in order for me to be able put my feet flat on the ground.

[Thack]

Thanks, papasmurf - sounds like a remarkable bike! Very interesting indeed.

[Davie Hall]

Hi tedmunds did you every get your bike running again. If so what was the problem?

[Adrian]

Go back to page 5 and scroll down to see the outcome! A.

[tedmunds]

Hi Davie, yes I did thank you. It was the pulse pick up, gap was to big.

[Gaz262]

My 2004 Kawasaki W650 requires the clutch pulling in before pressing the starter button ot it won't start......I thought it was a standard thing on Kwaks & possibly all the other Jap brands.

My 2008 electra EFI also requires this procedure for the electric boot to start it? Could papasmurf be right after all?