Author Topic: 2008 Iron Bullet - Dead  (Read 6704 times)

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Phlakaton

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on: October 01, 2013, 02:38:33 am
So my day got even better tonight after work.  The morning was mailbox plowing with my shoulder.

I kick started - everything was fine as usual.  I get about 1/4 mile up the road.  The ammeter all of a sudden goes apeshit back and forth - the bike cuts out a bit - then its ok.  Another 100 yards - I pull the throttle for some more speed- it cuts out again - then a few seconds later I pull the throttle again a bit - totally dead - coast to a stop.

I check the battery - 12.4 - needs a recharge according to the battery shop - I just go ahead and buy a new one anyway since I wanted to replace it after a few years.  New one - no dice.  No lights - no anything. 

Now I'm in figure it out mode.  Any help would be awesome my excellent pros!   ;)
'08 Bullet 500 Iron ES


cafeman

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Reply #1 on: October 01, 2013, 04:25:26 am
Sounds like you had a positive wire come in contact with metal (touching ground) Best check the wiring from each component as it comes out of the various harnesses and check for any pinching. Did you recently work on the bike, perhaps remove things and inadvertently move around the wiring? You may have pinched some wires upon reassembly. Check all those areas and you may find the problem. Take your time, and start with the simple and work towards the more complex.  You'll get it sorted :)


ROVERMAN

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Reply #2 on: October 01, 2013, 04:30:54 pm
My money is with the whack from the mail box, possibly loose wire at ammeter?


Afro Samurai

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Reply #3 on: October 01, 2013, 04:57:27 pm
just taking a wild swing.. .

didnt hit the primary or anything?... no hard jarring enough to screw up the alternator stator or positioning?.. again.. a wild swing..


Chuck D

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Reply #4 on: October 01, 2013, 09:27:15 pm
My money is with the whack from the mail box, possibly loose wire at ammeter?
That's where my mind was going also.
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High On Octane

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Reply #5 on: October 02, 2013, 05:07:35 am
12.4 volts isn't ideal, but it is not enough to cause the bike to die, unless it's an unstable battery.  My guys guess is something either got pinched or pulled loose when you impacted with the mailbox.  If I'D focus my initial attention on the side that took the impact.

Btw   Sorry to hear you got cut off, it's never a fun time.  Hope your arm is ok.

Scottie
« Last Edit: October 03, 2013, 03:48:44 am by Scottie J »
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Phlakaton

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Reply #6 on: October 02, 2013, 10:00:28 pm
Could this happen if either of those fuses went dead?  The ones inside the metal box on the left side of the frame?  I looked at them but they seemed ok.  Not sure though.  I have to wait until the weekend to dig into this so I figured I'd ask that too.  My money is on loose wiring - ground pulling free or something like you guys mentioned --- maybe quite easy to fix.  I hope!
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mrunderhill1975a

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Reply #7 on: October 02, 2013, 11:45:56 pm
I'm going to agree with Cafeman on this one.  I had something similar recently, it turned out to be a red wire in the nacelle rubbing the insulation off the wire and shorting to the inside of the nacelle.  Yours could be that or some other pinched location.  I also would inspect the ammeter wires, see if they are securely fitted.


Phlakaton

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Reply #8 on: October 03, 2013, 09:45:02 pm
I'm going to agree with Cafeman on this one.  I had something similar recently, it turned out to be a red wire in the nacelle rubbing the insulation off the wire and shorting to the inside of the nacelle.  Yours could be that or some other pinched location.  I also would inspect the ammeter wires, see if they are securely fitted.

I'm going to guess that "nacelle" means the metal shell that houses the headlight, ammeter, speedo and all the wires below my key?   :)  Just havent seen that word used before. 
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ace.cafe

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Reply #9 on: October 03, 2013, 09:46:07 pm
I'm going to guess that "nacelle" means the metal shell that houses the headlight, ammeter, speedo and all the wires below my key?   :)  Just havent seen that word used before.
Yes, it is sometimes called that.
And it is sometimes also referred to as the "casquette".
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Phlakaton

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Reply #10 on: October 05, 2013, 06:10:33 pm
Ok... I found what I think is the problem.  There is a 15A fuse under the seat in that little black plastic box.  I had a spare in there so replaced the totally snapped old one.  Hook it all up and wam - power!   Started right up.  So I took her for a spin.  100 yards down the road - ammeter goes apeshit again and she's dead.  The fuse I replaced the old one with - blew too.  So... I have a turn signal light out on the back left - otherwise all is the same and nothing major has happened.  When I hit that mailbox - it was my shoulder - not the bike - so how anything got hosed I have no idea.

Do fuses blow like this much?  It must be off balance on power somewhere - I cant find a single wire out of order - ammeter wiring is solid.  /shrug.

Would using a 20A fuse in that 15A spot be a problem?  - IF - I keep blowing fuses?

Arrrgg... though this was fixed.   Back to get another fuse.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2013, 06:13:56 pm by Phlakaton »
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ace.cafe

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Reply #11 on: October 05, 2013, 06:17:10 pm
Somewhere there is a hot wire intermittently touching a ground.
There is a strong chance that it is in the wiring inside the casquette, and likely that the wires to the ammeter are touching ground from vibrating loose or something. The ammeter wires are a common problem. But it might be somewhere else. You have to find it.
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Phlakaton

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Reply #12 on: October 05, 2013, 06:36:40 pm
Thank you Ace... the search continues.   :(
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Phlakaton

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Reply #13 on: October 05, 2013, 06:37:35 pm
For the hell of it - tried a 20A fuse - it blew too.  haha.  Thank you Ace... the search continues.   :(
'08 Bullet 500 Iron ES


rvcycleguy

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Reply #14 on: October 05, 2013, 06:56:49 pm
I had a ammeter lead come loose and go to ground inside the headlight bucket.  Blew a 20a fuse that is inline to the battery.  Because I did not have any pilot lights, turn signals, etc, I knew it was a power fuse. 
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ERC

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Reply #15 on: October 05, 2013, 07:19:04 pm
Ace is correct on that. That fuse under the seat isn't in any of the wiring diagrams. Had the same problem with Computerless's bike a few years ago. The problem was behind the headlight.  ERC 
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Phlakaton

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Reply #16 on: October 05, 2013, 08:01:22 pm
Fixed!  I bought another 15A fuse for under the seat ... but the real culprit was that huge bundle of wires all electrical taped up coming down from the head light cluster - it had dropped down from under the gas tank and was sitting on that stupid extra metal line from out of the exhaust pipe on the top.  It had melted through all the tape and exposed the wiring.

That thick bundle is on the right - I already taped it back up though.

'08 Bullet 500 Iron ES


cafeman

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Reply #17 on: October 05, 2013, 09:47:20 pm
The ammeter going apeshit was the clue that it had to be a live wire touching ground. Some time ago I messed with my pilot lights, putting in matched bulbs, and eventually went out for a ride and all of a sudden my ammeter did the "jig" and I had wisps of smoke along with stench coming from up front. Wondered what the hell, pulled over and saw it was coming from behind one pilot light from the backside of the casquette. Somehow the hot wire for the light was pinched through and touching an edge of the housing. Good to hear you got it fixed.  :)
« Last Edit: October 05, 2013, 09:50:34 pm by cafeman »


mrunderhill1975a

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Reply #18 on: October 06, 2013, 01:47:45 am
I'm going to guess that "nacelle" means the metal shell that houses the headlight, ammeter, speedo and all the wires below my key?   :)  Just havent seen that word used before.
I use the term nacelle in honor of Edward Turner.  From Wikipedia:
Edward Turner used the term "nacelle" to describe his styling device introduced in 1949 to tidy the area around the headlamp and instrument panel of his Triumph Speed Twin, Thunderbird and Tiger 100 motorcycles. This styling device was much copied within the British industry thereafter, although Czech motorcycle manufacturer CZ were using it beforehand. Indeed, the Royal Enfield Bullet still retains their version, the 'casquette', on their current models. The last Triumphs to sport nacelles were the 1966 models of the 6T Triumph Thunderbird 650, 5TA Triumph Speed Twin 500, and 3TA Triumph Twenty One 350.[3][citation needed]
The Triumph Owners' Motor Cycle Club calls its monthly magazine 'Nacelle'.[4] This is named after the Triumph styling device designed by Edward Turner.

The term nacelle is of French origin and is loosely translated as small boat.



mrunderhill1975a

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Reply #19 on: October 06, 2013, 02:00:52 am
Just for fun, here is the Wikipedia description of a casquette, also from French:

Casquette is French for "cap". In cycling jargon, it is used to refer to the traditional peaked cotton cap worn by racing cyclists.

With the introduction of compulsory cycle helmets for massed-start racing, casquettes have become less common, but most professional race outfits still have them produced in team colours for wearing on the winners' podium, for wearing under a helmet in heavy rain or for sale to the tifosi. They have also become popular as fashion items in some American cities, often with non-cycling-related designs.[1]

The casquette shields the head from strong sun and the peak can also make riding in the rain more comfortable, since drops do not fall directly into the eyes. They are sometimes worn with the peak backwards, not for reasons of fashion but because the peak then protects the neck from sunburn.

A traditional way to keep the head cool when cycling in hot conditions was to put a cabbage leaf under the casquette. However, when said cabbage was not available, riders would often turn to sheaths of mesclun.

The name was also used by Royal Enfield motorcycles to describe their version of the nacelle designed by Edward Turner for Triumph motorcycles. The casquette is still used on the  Royal Enfield Bullet model.  Although, it is not clear if the casquette for the RE is the one with a peak or brim over the headlight.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2013, 02:03:57 am by mrunderhill1975a »


Arizoni

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Reply #20 on: October 06, 2013, 05:32:19 am
It's good to know that "casquette" is not a French bastardization of the English word for the box one is buried in, ie: casket.   ;D ::)
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