It just died

[lancelot455]

Was out riding today
When i got home just as i pulled up the bike died before i was even stopped. Hit the start button and nothing. When i push the button the lights dim but the starter will not spin over at all. Battery is good. This also happened yesterday when i went to start the bike after a short ride. Tried to push start it and nothing. Then after about 10 minutes i hit the button and it fired right up.
Any idea's on what i should be checking and how?

[CatatonicBug]

Perhaps the starter solenoid? Can you arc across the leads on the solenoid and get the starter to spin? Of course, that doesn't explain why it died in the driveway though... Is your battery charging properly? Check the voltages at idle and while rev'd.

[DGXSER]

If it just simply died and you had no lights no starter no nothing, then I would suspect your ignition/key switch is going bad. May want to take it off, clean it up good, clean the connectors well. If you still had lights, but no run and no starter then perhaps you have a loose connector in the right hand emergency stop switch.

[mjpxs11sh]

ive looked for the emerg stop switch on my 81 Special. where is it typically located on the bike and what does it look like? its a good thing to know. thanx bro

[GARTHXS]

before you go and tear every thing apart ou need to load check your battery , if it reads 12v just sitting there it might still be bad , hook up a tester and hit the starter button . if the voltage caves then you have found your problem . I had the same thing happen and I tore a bunch of stuff apart until I did figure out it is the battery

[neJeff]

I had the same thing happen. I did not have the negative cable hooked tightly. Worth a look...

[soccer4m]

check the ground cable at battery to frame

Hi,,,,maybe check the ground cable from the battery to the frame. Same thing happened to me on a ride. The ground connector to the frame just about broke and the bike acted the same, not enough to start, drove me crazy for awhile,,,,I jiggled the ground connector and it just broke completely at the frame connector. Clean up or check yours....Keep us informed..............Mike in S.Diego

[bikerphil]

ive looked for the emerg stop switch on my 81 Special. where is it typically located on the bike and what does it look like? its a good thing to know. thanx bro

It is on the frame cross bar under the fuel tank and has two wires. Unplug it to bypass.
Your problem sounds like it might be a melted ignition switch connector in the headlight bucket.

[skids]

Check battery water too.

[lancelot455]

Battery tested good. Ground cables are attached and clean. Will check charging system and Connectors in the headlight bucket later today. It was quite hot out the day it happened 91f and with the humidex we were at about 107f

[lancelot455]

Finally had time to go have a look. I checked the wiring in the headlight bucket and it all seems fine. Checked the charging system and that is all working good. 13 volts at idle and 14 volts at 2500 rpm's . i am at a loss for what it might be. Could it be in the ignition switch?

[TopCatGr58]

Yes it could be, you can take it apart and inspect it for corrosion, broken solder joints, etc.!
T.C.