Helping a new Drifter owner

[greenbarn]

It is designed to start either with the clutch in, OR in neutral - either way.  Here's the catch, though-- both of these switches rely on the same wire at the clutch switch - so if the wire connection is bad here, neither of the safety switches will ground, so the starter relay will not work.  Looks like that wire is black, so if you ground the black wire at the clutch switch it bypasses the neutral switch and the clutch switch.  This is the first place I would look - I've read about numerous problems here.

There is a "main fuse" located in the main starter relay, according to the drawing, but if that were bad I don't think you would be getting any power to the ignition at all (someone can correct me if I'm wrong)

Do you have a test light or volt meter??  check some voltage at a few points.  Key on should give you 12V to the starter/ignition fuse.  If the fuse is good, then it completes the circuit to the right handlebar switch- should get 12V to the kill switch, and if it is "ON", then 12V to the starter switch.   Press the starter switch, should give you 12V to the starter/ignition relay.  That should energize said relay sending 12V to the coil in the starter relay, which in turn connects the circuit for the big cable feeding the starter motor.   

[graypritt]

     I have checked the fuses, every one that I could find all good. But it had a 10 amp instead of a 15 amp on the fuel,  the battery is new, I even hooked my motorcycle jumper box on to it to check to see if a lack of power is causing it no change. Did notice that the battery was at the very lowest for cold cranking amps.   they are going to buy a new one if I can get it even turning over.
The head light is completely unplugged needs a new one.   I am trying how to cheat on the tip over switch to see of I can bypass it to check that.     I think I am going to have to build a relay tester to test the relays.
I also plan on seeing if I can bypass the clutch switch, my question is on this bike does the clutch have to be in to start.  I know some that do and a lot that don't.
What's this about the ignition switch, I have no idea what is on it at the moment.  is there a issue related to this?  anyone know how I can check what it is on the bike?
The bike is actually in pretty good shape, 10,000 miles and other than the head light and the signal I saw no obvious damage.   all the tins are in good shape.  To be honest it is in a lot better shape than my 01, of course my 01 is well over a hundred thousand miles.  and I have ridden it hard.
thanks Gray

[greenbarn]

Hello Gray, and welcome to the forum.  Don't worry, we won't make fun of you too bad, several of the members here also have a Harley, and many of them have owned them in the past - before they wised up... LOL...  It won't be long, once you get that Drifter purring, and see the elegant beauty going down the road, that you will get jealous, and you'll want one too!

Now on to your problem.  Although I've never had this issue, I've read a lot about the clutch switch getting dis-located and not allowing the starter to crank.  You might check that first.  If this thing has been stored long, hard to tell what has been broken, bent, un-hooked, or otherwise disabled, especially considering it's been "ridden hard".

Also, the tip-over sensor is often cited as causing the problem - again I've never personally had this bugging mine, so sorry, I don't remember where it located.

I don't want to assume anything, so I'll ask:  Have you verified the "new" battery has good voltage? (should have 12.6 V)  It wouldn't be the first time a supposedly "new" part was not up to snuff.  For future reference, the EFI on these is really sensitive to voltage -- many people (me included) have had a low battery to the point where the bike will turn over, halfway decent actually, but it won't start b/c the EFI computer won't work, so no fuel.   But if your battery was pretty low (like sometimes they don't come charged) then you would probably get both problems you are getting.

Did you happen to check all the fuses??

The starter circuit has a 10A fuse.  There is a relay in the starter ignition circuit and then the starter relay aka solenoid.  You can check to see if you are getting current on the starter (from the solenoid) when the starter button is pushed - if not, check for current on the relay/solenoid when starter button is pushed.  If no current there, then it's matter of back-tracking to see what is not connecting.

On the fuel pump- yes, you should hear it run when key is on.  There is a fuel pump relay, I believe under the right side cover. gets its current from a 15 A fuse.

Hope that helps at least give you a couple things to look at, and maybe someone else will be along to help as well.

[Troll]

Start by checking ALL the fuses, followed by the connection at the clutch lever switch. A broken headlight could mean some blown fuses...and does it have a stock ign. switch or an aftermarket switch?

[graypritt]

Hello all, I am trying to help my friend get a 2001 drifter 1500 working again.   history as I know it.  the last owner bought it, used.   decided to learn to ride one night and hit something in a field.    damaged the head light and one back signal light.   After than let it set in a garage.     My friend acquired it bought a new battery, and now we have issues.

Here is what I know,  the bike looks like it in is great shape, except the missing head light and a broken signal.   the bike turns on, the fl light flashes and goes out, which I believe is what it is suppose to do.    turn the bike to run hit this start switch and nothing.   when you turn it to run, no fuel pump sound and when you hit the start you get a low click.  I think  it is a relay, but why is the fuel pump not clicking on.      if its the fuel pump why is the starter not at least trying?

I down loaded the manual, and I am pretty good at fixing electrical, and general other stuff.

no I do not have a drifter myself.  you can just go a head and make fun of me for my Harleys but I love em., Of course I still ride and I am brave enough to come in here to help get one back on the road.

any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.....Gray