K3 complete electrical failure, advice needed

[davidrsmith]

Hi,

I rode my K3 to work today, about 2 miles from home I had to do a left turn, as I did the turn all of the electrics died and the engine cut out.
I checked the fuses, a 15amp one was blown so I put spare in, turned the ignition on and nothing.

I ended up pushing the bike home as I couldn't get anyone to pick it up.
When I had K3 years ago a local shop did some work and routed the cables to the bottom of the ignition cables incorrectly so when going around a bend the contacts broke and the ignition cut out, remembering this I tried waggling the ignition wires but not a flicker.
Someone tried to jump start the bike but again absolutely no electrics.

Anyone got any ideas please before I start looking at it during the weekend

Thanks Dave

[K2-K6]

First suspect would be ignition barrel contacts if supply is definitely going out via main fuse. 

See if volts arrive at back of ignition switch,  then if they come out again.

Break it down into sections until you lose the supply,  battery to fuse,  fuse to ignition switch,  switch to loom etc

[K2-K6]

As a quick reality check,  take a supply from battery positive to coil supply plugs under fuel tank (not the wires that go to the points as they are earth)

Then kickstart it,  should run like that ( just the engine but no lights) but will verify you've lost the switched supply somewhere in the loom.

Just got to then find it 

[matthewmosse]

Ignition switch gave issues on  my k3. Other places to look are all the red and red with white tracer wires in the contacts under the covers by the battery, these tend to grow green  fur and fall appart, excluding that I found these old Hondas to be pretty reliable electrically speaking.

[K2-K6]

If you need a volt meter https://www.dx.com/p/uni-t-ut120c-portable-1-8-lcd-digital-multimeter-grey-red-1-x-cr2032-2018228?tc=GBP&ta=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxduE0LLO4wIVw-FRCh3mYwx8EAQYBiABEgLXKvD_BwE#.XTjBEN5wbMI are really good for this sort of thing.

Low cost, small enough to carry around with you,  excellent little meter for all "hunt the volts" tasks 

[Moorey]

Talking of multimeters this arrived today as I needed a DC clamp meter to do a job. A nice little meter with plenty of functions and readings are comparable with my Fluke. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/True-RMS-Digital-Clamp-Meter-Multimeter-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Capacitance-Q5B3/233287651400?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&redirect=mobile

[Nurse Julie]

  these tend to grow green  fur and fall appart,  .

Like my battery cable Matthew

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[Moorey]

  these tend to grow green  fur and fall appart,  .

Like my battery cable Matthew

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I hope you used a big block connector to mend that.

[Nurse Julie]

  these tend to grow green  fur and fall appart,  .

Like my battery cable Matthew

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I hope you used a big block connector to mend that.

I was tempted Chris but it kept crumbling further and the ends wouldn't reach the block connector any more 😭😭😭 I jest, Trig made me buy a new one 😊

[matthewmosse]

As the person who keeps every removed part, just in case theres some chance of saving it, I must shamefully admit I have binned wires in that condition as beyond saving!

[K2-K6]

Desirable attribute in antiques,  they just call it verdigris 

They like a bit of patina that lot.

[florence]

I also had problems with ignition switch, everything cut out including lights, very scary.

I now have an ignition switch from an Austin A35 car.

[Moorey]

I also had problems with ignition switch, everything cut out including lights, very scary.

I now have an ignition switch from an Austin A35 car.

Did you get a free bottle of smoke with it. 

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[Harold 400/4]

Another vote for ignition switch. Same happened in my K3. Put a DSS one on whilst the original one is being sorted.

[florence]

I also had problems with ignition switch, everything cut out including lights, very scary.

I now have an ignition switch from an Austin A35 car.

Did you get a free bottle of smoke with it. 

(Attachment Link)

  Lucas wiring works by magic and alchemy and is fine as long as you keep believing in it.