Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Cuts out on bumps

Finally the perfect day to ride. I got to go out for a bit but I noticed my bike cuts out when I hit a good bump. Normally I swerve to muss manhole covers-especially here because people steal them for scrap-but today I hit an unavoidable bump on the highway and she cut out. So I took to the side streets and hit ever manhole cover I could find. And she would cut out when it felt like the back end dropped thru the bump. I have my battery relocated and we all know the "organization" that goes with those wires under the seat. Never had it last year though and rode with this set up. obviously I instantly think electrical. Can I unhook the side stand switch and have it still run just not shut off when I put the stand down to rule that out? Any suggestions on where to look first?
Thanks all,
Brett

You got a short in the system some where probably a hot. I dont thing short to grounds will fire right back up like that but I could be wrong. Its definately a short.

So look to the hot wires more likely? Yes it does start right back up. As I'm rolling I can start her again.

look for a loose connection that a bump would jar loose.

I haven't got to it yet but I'm going to start with pushing all the connections I can find together. Could a fuse do that too?

kickstand switch. Check that first.

Check the frame ground for the battery.
And all connections.

Thanks for the ideas so far everybody. I'll rip into it tomorrow and hopefully it's some easy connection.

So it is my second 30 amp breaker that the wire connecting in doesn't hold tight. If in push it in it will run. If I twist the wires around it cuts out. The wire doesn't seem to stay in there. Any input from the great and powerful Oz on this one??

Super quick update. I used my daughters hair tie and if the wires are pushed all the way in and squeezed on with the hair tie it runs well. Went town the road and hit a few man holes and it didn't cut out. But I sure would like a permanent fix. So those wires snap in that attxh to the fuse box. I flipped thru Haynes and they don't really say about the wires just the fuses. What's my best bet or advice? How do I make sure that little wire is pushed in. Would a pic help???

Ok I can do a picture. But will have to be in the am or the boss will kill me. I learned a thing or two throughout the years

Looking forward to the pic... sounds like something we could all learn from!

I rode into work today, about 30 miles and ran fine. So I hate to tear into it especially while I'm here and not at home just to take a picture. One of the brown wires going to the main fuse pulled out. So when I would move the fuse box it would pull out enough to lose the connection. Which explains why when I hit a bump it would cut out, but then start up again right away, because the wire never really came all the way out, just jostled around enough to lose contact for a second.
But I will get a picture of the little sucker so hopefully it can be used for learning as Keith stated.
Thanks all,
Brett

I had this happen to me when I removed my airbox. Get a hooked automotive pick, available at any parts store, use it to grab the terminals, from the front of the fuse box and pull the wires back into the fuse box. They are pulling out of the back of the fuse box and the fuse is not "seating" in the terminals.

I took the time to pull my fuse box and physically tye wrap the female terminals in place to keep them from moving out of the plastic holder. The retainer lock tabs on the fuse holders aren't the best and can slip out of place when the fuse is pushed in. It is a cheap fuse box.

That is exactly what happened. So who makes a fuse box upgrade mod??!! I'm kidding on this one. Thanks again for the help.