Headlight problem

[Devinci40]

I had no headlight when turned to the on position so I checked the fuse it is good so I started the bike and 15 seconds later the headlight and high beam indicator light came on. Turned off the bike let it set for a half hour came back no head light 15 sec later headlight came on. What's going on hear? Any ideas

[The emperor has no clothes]

Likely a dirty starter switch.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

[Jess from VA]

Or bulb contact corrosion.  How long has that bulb been in there? 

If that's it, the corrosion is causing heat and the socket and wires are at risk.   

[ridingron]

Using WD 40 with a red straw, I would soak the switch housings. Work the switches. Both sides.

[Chrisj CMA]

Using WD 40 with a red straw, I would soak the switch housings. Work the switches. Both sides.

If it is the starter switch that won't work. It's a little sealed box you have to remove and take part

[Devinci40]

Sounds like a good starting point, not sure how long the bulbs been in there, the bike is new to me and has been sitting all winter, I can get an oem switch for a 100 dollars and bulb for 12 dollars. I'll order both and change them out. Should take care of it. Thanks for the help!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Sounds like a good starting point, not sure how long the bulbs been in there, the bike is new to me and has been sitting all winter, I can get an oem switch for a 100 dollars and bulb for 12 dollars. I'll order both and change them out. Should take care of it. Thanks for the help!

Buying a switch is probably overkill. It's pretty easy to take apart and clean. Just take your time and have a clean, organized area to take it apart.

[Jess from VA]

The start switch can be cleaned (carefully).

But if you want a new one, JB McG just posted up that he has a new one for sale in our classified listings today.   http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,121528.0.html

[RonW]

(Devinci40, I stumbled across some pics.) The idea is to inspect this contact or copper bridge (red rectangle). By design, the headlight wires runs through the start button so that when you press in the start button to start the engine, it breaks the circuit for the headlight momentarily shutting off the headlight so there's more electricity directed to the starter motor and also less electrical draw on a (weak) battery, so on. A disadvantage is that the headlight electricity heats up the copper bridge on some bikes. This causes the copper bridge to eventually sink into its nylon substrate. It's repairable by plucking up the copper bridge if it's not as bad as below.




Release the 4 barbs from their 4 slots to separate the parts.