electrical gremlin(s)?

[xsexcess]

Working to wake the Interstate up from a long nap today and am having electrical issues. Swapped in a good battery, everything seemed to work fine.  Instrument cluster woke up, starter was spinning fine.  No hydrocarbons to ignite it seemed so I grabbed some starter fluid to try that.  When I turned the key, cluster lit up, pushed the start button and everything went dead. I've checked battery connections, the ground wire to back of engine, the 30 amp (main?) fuse.  Can find no issues. Have not found the 'fusible link' I hear about. At first I thought maybe the kill switch, so cycled that back and forth a few times.....but that wouldn't de-power the instrument cluster I think.  When I rotate the key from accessory to off the T1 relay gives a faint click (maybe normal) otherwise no sound. Jumped the starter wires with a screwdriver and only get a faint spark (no rotation of starter). Any ideas what would component/connection could cause a single point electrical failure like this?  The only benefit of having aged motorcycles like these is that someone somewhere has already experienced every failure that can happen....   This bike does not sit in the elements, so corrosion is less likely than some.

[xsexcess]

I found the fusible link, it is intact, correct voltage is present.  Could this be the ignition switch?

[f-Stop]

Sure does sound like the starter switch from your description.  It's easy enough to get to.

I had similar symptoms as you.  I opened my switch and it looked like this...


The contacts looked worse...


Cleaned 'em up, re-lubed with dielectric grease and all has been well since...

[xsexcess]

Thanks, I'll check that.  I did something similar with my Tourer.  One thing that occurred to me at that time was the need for someone (with CAD skills) to create PDFs of the little plastic giblets in the starter switch (and fog light switches and many other places I'm sure) so we can have the no longer available and now quite aged parts 3d printed.....I did find a thread elsewhere that seemed to point to the starter relay. If available from Honda these will be spendy.  There is an equivalent part available on Amazon for under $10 though (and similar 'repro' parts for many other Hondas).  I bought a couple of those as Just in Case spares and will try that too.   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007473OWI?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

You never know when items like this disappear out of the supply chain.

[Rocketman]

The starter circuit is different between the standard/tourer and the I/S.  The I/S is far less vulnerable.
If you're confident in the battery, I would start checking grounding points and contacts.
If you hit the starter button, it should kill everything (cluster, radio, etc) while it tries to start, but all that should come back up after you let off the button.  The only times I've had it not recover is when I had a dead battery or a bad ground.

[Valker]

One note for dielectric grease: it is an INSULATOR. If you apply it too liberally or in the wrong places, it will cause electrical components to NOT work.

[john]

 i tired of mess'in around with the switches  ... i replaced both switch housings with new ones from honda  .. i would rather spend the money than continue to chase the gremlin ... problem solved

[turtle254]

i tired of mess'in around with the switches  ... i replaced both switch housings with new ones from honda  .. i would rather spend the money than continue to chase the gremlin ... problem solved

What was price and part no. ? Where did you buy them from?
Thanks

[TTG53#1717]

Just a bit of advice with your new switch... A heavy key ring bouncing around can cause the switch to deteriorate rapidly. I use these S-Biners to allow the easy removal of a single key for my bikes.



You just have to remember to pull that key !

[john]

NEW SWITCH HOUSEING ............. EBAY >>> LELeft Handlebar Turn Signal Light Switch for Honda Valkyrie 1500 GL1500 1997-2003 (For: Honda)Opens in a new window or tab
Brand New
$74.93
Buy It Now
Free shipping
Free returnFT ($75) AND RIGHT    ($60)         Left Turn Signal Horn Switch Headlight for Honda Shadow Spirit /ACE 1100 VT1100Left Turn Signal Horn Switch Headlight for Honda Shadow Spirit /ACE 1100 VT1100 (For: Honda)Opens in a new window or tab
Brand New
$59.93
Buy It Now
Free shipping
Free returns                 

[john]

 EBAY >....  is your friend ....... 16950-MZ0-033 OEM 1997-2003 Honda Valkyrie Fuel Petcock Tap Shut Off Assembly 16950-MZ0-033 OEM 1997-2003 Honda Valkyrie Fuel Petcock Tap Shut Off Assembly (For: Honda)Opens in a new window or tab
Brand New
5.0 out of 5 stars.
22 product ratings- 16950-MZ0-033 OEM 1997-2003 Honda Valkyrie Fuel Petcock Tap Shut Off Assembly
$158.75
Buy It Now
Free 2-3 day shipping
Almost gone
239 sold ....... better git'em while they last ... more money well spend