Uncertain Electrical Failure

[Geezer]

My bike didn't have a ground wire attached to the switch. There should be some extra black ground connections on the wiring inside the headlight shell.

I have plenty of bullet connectors on hand so it wasn't a problem for me to wire up a ground connection but mine attaches by loops to the screws that hold the switches on.

Geezer

[xs11bobber]

AHHHhhhhhhhh.... I have to have all grounds connected for her to turn right? That could be my problem right there because I have that headlight all open right now. I took the original off because it was all rust, and was going to replace it so I didn't put it back on. The only thing wired up front is the main switch.

[xs11bobber]

Nope...

Only ground I saw up front was in the headlight plug.

BUT!

I took a small "semi-permanent" jumper and connected one end of it to the coil mount and the other to the black coming from the controls. I tapped them together outside of the controls and I was good. Once connected the button still didn't work. Then I was fidgeting with that for a second and pushed really hard while wiggling and it made the connection for a brief second. So there's the trouble behind that problem. The button isn't reaching the blue/white wire connection inside the switch itself.

In the mean time another problem may have presented itself. I now have an open blue/black. If it's supposed to be a ground, why doesn't the starter turn when I touch the blue/white to it? Which makes me wonder what else is connected to that circuit and is going to cause problems. OYE

[xs11bobber]

I rebuilt the controls. I took a stanley knife and scrapped a little on the start button spring. Copper is soft so it wanted to cut the sping like wood, but just a small scrapping was necessary. Made sure the spring was touching the button center and pulled it out just a tweak. Reassembled, put it back on the bike, connected everything and she works like a champ. Thanks for the help. Going out to check for spark now! I'm stoked. Soon I'll be rebuiding carbs and then riding!!!!!!