Mystery stopping

I have an 81 xj750 here in Australia. This bike has close to 100000kms. Bit rattly at idle but runs smothly after that. I like it a lot as it has a really nice seating position. But down to the issue.....bike starts runs nicely for about 3kms or more sometimes then suddenly stops ( not fuel type stop) ....seems electrical. Turn off ignition , turn on again....starts straight away and will run strongly for the rest of the day. I t has got me beat.

 

Start the bike let it idle and wiggle all of the wires about that you can, under the seat , round the headstock, turn the bars left to right a few times check at the TCI. Move the wiring from the ignition switch and the handlebar switches. Check the fuses, move the wires at them if you can. If you have the original fusebox change it for a blade type one. What about the connectors inside the headlight bucket, open connector blocks one at a time and check for damage, melted connectors, damaged wiring. Spray them with WD40. Check the main harness where it leaves the frame to the headstock. Check for any chaffing of insulation where the harness passes through frame openings.

 

Might be your ignition switch that is faulty. I jumped mine on my Honda CB750 to test it by bypassing the switch and the bike ran perfectly. Easy test to do.

 

I had that issue. As mentioned, one possibility for you to check - it turned out to be corroded fuse box clips. Does it have the original fuse holder?

 

will go back to basics with some of those ideas ...thanks