Cuts out while riding, no crank

[Snow]

Hello all
I've been searching without success, so here goes:

Bike started stalling out like engine run cut switch got turned off, then wouldn't crank over for a couple minutes, then would suddenly crank over and fire right up. The last time it did this 4 times in a 5 mile ride home. I've redone the fuse box and removed the emergency tip over switch (though the no crank eliminates that as a possible problem). Any ideas?

[DiverRay]

Check the emergency cut off switch on the right handle. When you split it the switch, the kill switch unscrews from the inside. Two screws hold on the wires, and one is under the wires that holds on the switch. It will then pull off so you can check and be sure nothing is bad. I found the plastic that holds everything together had cracked. I was lucky in that I had a spare, so I'm still on the road.

[Miti-Babe]

If you don't find any problems in the RHS switchgear...

And you're confident that your fusebox overhaul is AOK...

The most likely culprit is the main key-switch...

Try "wiggling" the key or get your hand under the clocks and wiggle the wiring connector... It may be loose in the socket...

Next time is happens, I would check what is still working... That'll clue you up on which circuits are /aren't functioning and where the fault may lie...

BTW: Later models 1980 - on have a starter interlock with a clutch switch and diode to prevent starting in gear... The clutch switch can slide out of the lever perch and cause starter problems... Shouldn't cause it to cut dead when running though...

Miti

[Snow]

I've pulled apart and cleaned the killswitch, but there does seem to be one screw missing - I'll try jiggling the key/wires. I should also mention that everything else, such as horns and lights work even though she won't crank.

[Snow]

This is most aggrivating - I played with wires, jiggle key, jiggle killswitch and nothing... then just for fun I tried again...she fired right up... 15 times in a row... I did spray silicone lube in the switch after I cleaned it the other day...

[79XS11F]

Electoral "ghosts" are always difficult to find. If you content that the main and kill switches are good along with the fuse box then start looking for a break or short where the wiring harness moves. Like between the head light pod and frame, inside the head light pod. Check the wiring where it goes trough the holes in the head light pod. With the bike running and the head light out mess around with the wires in there and see if you can make the engine die.
Rob

[Snow]

Found the problem, was behind fusebox - bad butt connector that connected to ignition fuse