I am hoping somebody can help with an electrical problem on my 5th Gen (1998). It has been running great for the year I have had it and it has just 18k miles. The previous owner did have the R/R go out and he replaced it and added a PC fan to cool. I "think" he may have also added some upgraded wiring but I am not sure. I have a video linked below to help me explain what happened, etc. Had made several trips around town in 85 degree heat, mostly stop and go, small stretch on the freeway. Engine temp was probably right around 200F. Came to a stop light that had just turned red, so I put the bike into neutral to stretch my hands. As the light was about to change, I went to shift into first and it felt like I didn't push down quite hard enough (sounded/felt like I may be in between gears so to speak) so I instantly pushed down again. It was very quick...almost like a double tap on the shifter...not sure if this has anything to do with the problem or not. Then the bike just dies...I look at the instruments and everything is blank and the clock has reset to 1:00 AM as if I had disconnected the battery. I hit the starter and nothing, put it in neutral and still nothing. I turn the key off and push it into a parking lot. I turn the key back on and everything lights up and I can hear all the normal sounds (fuel pump I think). When I hit the starter, I just get a slight noise (see video) but the starter does not seem to be cranking and the instruments go blank again and the clock resets to 1:00. Take the seat off and start checking fuses...there is a 25 amp from a yellow wire (see pictures...if this does not look normal, I think the PO may have spliced some fuses into the wires...again, I am not sure) but the 25 amp fuse is literally melted. A nice person pulled over to assist me and had a spare 25 amp fuse, replaced it, but still same symptoms when trying to start the bike...sounds like the starter is not getting enough power, the instruments go blank, and the clock resets to 1:00. As you can tell from the video, this is where I am at now with those same symptoms when trying to start the bike in my garage. I am immediately thinking the R/R, but from what I have read, it does not usually happen so suddenly and violently (frying the fuse). I just read a recent post on here where a '99 had a bad R/R and it looked like his harness fried, so perhaps the spliced wires with fuses saved me from bigger problems? Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Within the last 2 weeks had our washer go out (needed a new one), my PC crash and burn, my root canal tooth has an abscess and now this so money is a bit tight and I am hoping I don't need to take it to the dealer/shop for repair. I am thinking a new battery and R/R may be needed but no idea. Also, do you think the quick, hard double tapping from neutral to first could have caused this or was that just a weird coincidence? After looking at the wiring again, it looks like he did splice fuses in...you all think this is a good idea or should I be looking at getting the VFRness from Tightwad. Also, if this is the R/R any recommendations on a proper replacement? Thank you all for any help and advice and sorry for the long post. Link to video: YouTube - VFR Elec Probs -Kevin UPDATE: I charged up the battery and it started right up, but I am still unsure what caused the problem to start with, so all help is still appreciated. BTW, when hooking your battery up, make sure you pay attention to which side is positive and negative...what a dumba$$ I am...that was a quick 30 amp main fuse to go through I am going to be taking the battery to batteries plus tomorrow to have them test it to make sure it is still good. Another UPDATE: Had the battery tested and it is just fine...estimated 89% life left in it. Would a faulty R/R cause a good battery to go completely dead in a matter of seconds? I am assuming it is the R/R but would like to know before buying a new one. Any comments would be appreciated...guess I'll start checking the voltage tomorrow.
