Bike is a 2005 1200c, runs great, no recent work or changes, normally a daily driver but just sat for two months due to health issues.
Just replaced my 18 month old battery. Checked for power drain with the key off; starter lead = .9 V, super fuse lead = 12.99V. Started pulling fuses, with the middle left fuse out I got .8V.
With this fuse out the speedometer is dark and bike won’t turn over. The wiring diagram shows two power supplies to the spedo with different fuses, #1 Ignition & #6 accessary.
Can anybody suggest how to narrow this down? I don’t want to start tearing it apart with so many potential places the short could be. Also everything works with the offending fuse in place. Thanks, JF

 

Is it blowing fuses?

 

Not blowing fuses, just constant draw like the switch is on. JF

 

first, did you do the test with the ignition off??

so there are 2 power supplies to the speedo..one is prolly for the speedo the other for the light (i guess)...unhook both at the speedo and check for voltage...then pull the fuses for them and check for continuity between the 2 wires and from each wire and frame....next do the same for the wires on the back of the ignition switch...if all that tests normal move up the line on the ignition side (because that is easier) next on the acc. side...I would not be surprised if you found some crap inside of the key switch causing the issue...

 

Yes, tested with the ignition off. I will follow your advice tonight. Thanks! JF

 

All of your posted tests so far are for voltage, you need to measure how much current is actually being drawn. (Battery drain with everything turned off)

Also, with all fuses back in, pull out the starter relay that's beside the fuses and check the voltage at the starter again.

BTW, there are 3 "hot wires to the speedo:
Ignition (Orange)
Battery (Brown/Gray)
Accessory (Orange/White)

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Thanks, I'll do the test with the starter relay out. Current draw? should I test for amps? Sorry, not a mechanic, I build houses, have a multi meter and enough tools to get myself into trouble! JF

 

Yes, current draw. You'll be looking for something small like in the mA range (less than 1 amp).
First, DO NOT turn anything ON on the bike for this test.
Pull the big Master (Maxi) fuse.
Measure (voltage) with your meter from ground to each of the fuse socket contacts to see which one is hot (12+ volts)
Set your meter on Amps and insert the probes into the Maxi fuse socket, with the red probe going to the hot contact in the socket and the black probe to the other contact.

Note the meter reading.

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Thanks cHarley!

 

I got 10.3 amps across the maxi fuse with all fuses in and the ignition off. Think I'll start by checking the ignition switch. JF