Help, No start no nothing.......

I have a 86 VF 500. and today took it out for a ride, pulled out of the garage started it up, ran a few minutes to warm, turned off went inside for about 10 minutes till others got here and when I went to start it, Nothing. turned the key, hit starter. Nothing. No lights, no gauges, Like there is no battery in the bike, no electric going nowhere.. New battery new fuses,everything seems tight,,Im at a lose, Not a clue.... Any Ideas ???
ducrnd@yahoo.com

 

I would inspect the connection at the starter relay as my first guess.

 

^^^ =+++

And you could test the ignition switch plugs too, for green or white corrosion and clean. Check battery volts for at least about around approximately 12.2-.6 dc volts or so before cranking, if not, replace battery or jump from another and try again.

 

When you say new fuses, does that include the main fuse by the starter relay?

I think your bike is wired like mine. There is a short heavy guage wire from the battery positive that goes to the relay. (the other side of relay goes to the starter) The relay block has internal copper bars that go from the pos relay terminal to one side of the main fuse. The other side of the main fuse has hidden copper bars that goes to a 4 pronged plug. Now positive power only goes to the 2 prongs that have the big red/white wires. Of these big wires, one prong goes to the ignition switch and the other prong goes to the Reg/Rectifier. (the other 2 smaller wires, green and yellow, activate the starter relay)

Check for burnt wires, corroded connections, loose connections, etc... Clean the main fuse connections.

My ignition switch wire in the 4 pronged connector was not good which lead to over heating and melting of the wires insulation and the plug. I fixed the wiring and replaced the plug. I now run the reg/rect wires directly to the battery and I added a second connector to the ignition switch wire so it has 2 spade connectors to spread out the load and run cooler.

Hope that helps.