Replaced ignition
 

I've had a fault on my xt for a while now, and I 've just taken it apart and had a look at all the electrical connections behind the head light. I was told that the bike was stolen/recovered and thet the ignition barrel was damaged. The shop replaced it before I bought it with another barrel. But I think it was from an earlier model, because the connections werent the same and the shop skinned off all the wires and joined them. They didnt do a bad job, and I found no reason for there to be a bad connection there. But heres the question. Is it a compatability issue? Could an older barrel be causing the problem? Also, what is the clutch switch for? Could it cause the bike to cut out?

If its a basic type ign switch, correctly wired it won't cause any problems:thumbup1:

The clutch switch is to stop you using the starter (unless in neutral) with it in gear & shooting off down the road.... If the bikes in gear it won't start unless the clutch is pulled in :clap: same as the side stand switch.

Best to disconnect them as water/sh*te can cause problems..... You'll need to remove the switch, trace wire to loom & solder them so alls OK.

So I need to bridge them both 'closed'?

Hi Derek. Could you please explain exactly the problem you are having. You turn the ignition on, press the start button...Then what happens? , does it turn over but not start?...Does it not turn over at all? lRegards, Trev.

It goes fine, and starts fine, but there's a ongoing problem where the bike cuts out. I've checked everywhere, and all looks ok, but the only changes made to the bike is the ignition barrel. I thought maybe there was a comptibility issue or something. I think this might be an amateur diagnosis on my part though.

Check the side stand switch first.

Yeah.I,d go for the sidestand switch or if it runs and cuts out when warm then starts later when its cooled down then I would go for a cdi unit....hope this is of help....

I have joined and soldered all the connections of the 'new' ignition, and cut out and bridged the sidestand switch and clutch switch. Not been for a ride yet though. All connections are tip top. I'm not a mechanic, but I am an electrician!

My sidestand switch wires were already cut and joined, which is why it took me so long to find the problem. There was a break somewhere in the black wire from the CDI unit to the s/s switch. I ran a wire from the CDI connector to earth, and no more problems.

Just sayin' that bridging the switch wires won't necessarily cure it. But if you're a lecky, you knew that anyway!

:)

After much searching and meeting up with the AA on the side of the road, it has now come to light that my coil was on its way out, and the carbs were set up completly wrong. I hope this is the end of it. On the plus side, I've put a DEP silencer on, K&N filter and DynaJet stage 2 kit in the carbs. She's a beast now...