Loss of all electrical while going down road

[2003Valkyrie]

Random loss of electrical power while driving---no headlight no tach-- pull over bike resarts after a few minutes.  Fuses all good ---ground good  any other ideas.  Very random

Thanks
2003valkyrie

[MarkT]

Don't be so sure the grounds are good - especially the battery ground to the back of the aluminum engine block.  Honda does not install a star washer at that ground which is USA standard for connections to aluminum (I think SAE but could be wrong.)  If you haven't done this already, move that ground to the left footpeg bracket mount. I note you are in WI and suffering the weather system we just sent you.  Your bike's behavior is compatible with bad ground and changing humidity.

Secondly there's a single point of electrical failure on the positive side - all the juice that is switched by the key first goes through a 15 amp fuse hidden in the starter relay - pull the cover you'll see it - behind the right side cover.  Moisture has been known to get in there and cause a failed connection.

Lastly I got stuck on the side of the road by Deerslayer's "frangible link"  aka main fuse connections failing. In my case, corrosion increased resistance and it overheated and melted the fixture before it failed - I was lucky it didn't flame up.  That's the 55amp "dog bone", under the rt cover towards the front - power from the alt goes through it.  Check it's connections.  On Deerslayer and Jade I added electrical connection compound on both ends then slathered the whole thing with Liquid Electrical Tape to seal it from moisture.

[Chrisj CMA]

Check alternator

[Pete]

Last time I saw something like this it tuned out to be the battery ground connection not tight.
Looked tight but was not.

[2003Valkyrie]

Thanks for all the help.  I did get time to clean up the grounds today,  I ran an addition ground from factory spot to left foot peg frame mount.  I checked alternator output also all good their.

Now just have to put more miles on and see if problem reoccurs.

Thanks again  2003Valkyrie

[2003Valkyrie]

UPDATE:

Bike left me stranded so the issue returned.   After not being able to get it running on side of road I loaded it up in my truck and got her home.  Hit everything I could think of with a tester---this time the issue showed up and did not go away !!!!  IGNITION SWITCH was bad.  Intermittent electric issues are the hardest things to track down.   Running again

[hubcapsc]

Thanks for the update 

-Mike

[Jersey]

Glad you found the problem and got it running!

[BudMan]

Glad you had an inattentive  Gremlin that didn't notice you looking for him. The ones that attack my motors usually run and hide as soon as they see me with a meter. 

[Ricky-D]

UPDATE:

Bike left me stranded so the issue returned.   After not being able to get it running on side of road I loaded it up in my truck and got her home.  Hit everything I could think of with a tester---this time the issue showed up and did not go away !!!!  IGNITION SWITCH was bad.  Intermittent electric issues are the hardest things to track down.   Running again

Why don't you describe what your key chain was composed of. (keys and other stuff) The reason I'm asking, is to see, is, if the weight of the key chain might have had some influence on the failure of the switch.

***

[Bagger John - #3785]

Why don't you describe what your key chain was composed of. (keys and other stuff) The reason I'm asking, is to see, is, if the weight of the key chain might have had some influence on the failure of the switch.

I know this has caused problems with some automotive ignition switches.

[2003Valkyrie]

Reply to keys on key chain------only have 2 keys on key chain and a small leather piece so not very heavy at all.  The ignition switch did suffer from an extreme deep freeze last winter when I road the bike in wisconsin with temp at 18 degrees.  The key switch froze solid and I had to pick the pieces of plastic out of the tumblar.  All good now