Ok I have a electrical dilemma.....

1982 seca 550
ok this bike is kicking my azz, bike was bought a few monthes ago, got thru the carb issues, and the front brake rebuild. Now I put new lower superbike bars on, removed all the turn signals, removed the horns and now when I turn the key to the on position, the headlight does not come on and when I hit the start button it doesnt kick over. the nuetral light is on, goes out when put into gear, when turning the kill swtich on and off I hear power clicking the solenoids.
I went back and installed the horns, the turn signals, made sure all the wires are correct in color when plugged in, still no start action at the button....what the hell did I screw up?

Oh yeah, I suck at electrical issues so tell me what to look for in its most simplest terms, thanks!

 

Rider550
Check the ground for the front wiring harness...it should be under the gas tank.
Kenneth

 

Check your side stand switch. There is a way to bypass the whole safety circuit but I'm not sure. PM Fitz he knows and he is the 550 guy

MN

 

Are your new bars chromed? or powder coated? I made the mistake of putting new bars on my Seca that had a black powder coat.... the switches cluster has to be earthed through the bars... so I ended up sanding off the paint where the switch cluster touches the bars and then underneath where the bars mount, make sure its all clear of paint... that way it can make a nice circuit

 

Hmmm, the bars are a black powder coat? I will put the old bars on and see if that works. The guy I got it from was a DIY guy and I noticed the ground wire from thr starter button is not attached and he has it taped off? Why? Thanks for the help guys, called in sick today to sort this out, will try these ideas out, will keep everyone updated....

 

That was going to my first suggestion; you've probably inadvertently "isolated" your switch cluster(s.)

Use masking tape to mark/protect the bar so you don't sand away too much and make it ugly.

Oh, and thanks, MN.

 

ok putting the old bars back on got me back on track, starter button works again! Wow those powder coated bars kicked my a## for a week and a half! Ok battery is dead and recharging, keeping my fingers crossed while sanding down the new bars....this is not fixed till I hear it run!

 

Should the headlight come on when the ignition key is on?

 

Not until the motor is running. Then once on, it will stay on (even if the the motor stalls) until you turn the key off.

 

ALRIGHT! She runs!!! Thanks to everyone who helped me out, Fitz, your the bomb! Powder coating bars is a very bad thing! This website has helped me out so much getting this old thing on the road again, is there a way I can make a donation to this site?
Now I can get back to working on lowering this thing! Anybody have ideas on how to shorten the front springs?

 

You're welcome.

I got done in by my first set of black handlebars for my SR500, back in the day. It's a lesson not soon forgotten.

Have you checked your rear brake for signs of delamination? You can't go by feel, you have to look. VERY IMPORTANT it happened to me which is why I posted the warning: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

You don't want to shorten the front springs. All that will do is eat up suspension travel. If you have some need to lower the bike, you can raise the fork tubes up in the triple trees a bit (until they get too close to the handlebar.)

If you need to lower the rear, get 1/2" shorter shocks, no more. And get your seat resculpted.

I had the opposite problem (I'm a lanky mo'fo') so I had my seat "filled in" to ADD an inch+ and it worked wonders.

You can do the seat yourself (remove the cover and have at it with an electric carving knife) or you can have it professionally done for not a lot of cash: http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm

I had both of my 550's seats done by Sargent's, and I'll be sending the one from my 650 to them when it's time.

Take a look at my 550 Secas: http://s437.photobucket.com/albums/qq93/bigfitz52/ and compare the seats. The black bike was "tweaked;" the white bike is a "stock" recover with the red accent welt added.

That's the absolute easiest way to pick up an inch and a half of "inseam clearance."

 

Want to lower it and get that old school drag bike look, suspension travel is not a big deal, this bike is just a around town bar hopper thing. This bike never sees the interstate! I am going to carve the seat myself, give it that stepped look, aka old GPz style. I will probabaly pick up some front forks for backup parts and try to shorten the front springs, as far as the back, looking for 11" shocks or maybe just strut it.

 

There is a donate box at the entrance to the site, feel free to chip in anytime.

 

Thats great, Thank you.

 

chromed handlebars mean your switch isn't grounded? oh man! I gotta get out the sanding kit. I've been fiddling with that thing for months.
Usually works great in the morning (cold, foggy, wet) and then stops working when I get off work!

 

do I need to sand both where the bars are clamped onto the bike (in the middle of the handlebars), and also where the starter switch clamps to the bike?

 

CHROME bars are fine; he was having a problem with black painted or powder coated bars.