Troubles in Paradise, HELP !!!

[Transam]

Man,
Did a really good detail of the bike today, no high
water pressure. Waxed it polished the rims made
it look better than ever. Loaded up the wife and
went for a ride. A mile from the house I lost Tach,
turn signals and neutral lights. Then the bike died.
AAUGH!! Got it started and made it 1/2 way home
but with no lights still then it died. Started it up made
it home and found the 2nd fuse from the top in the
fuse box under the tank blew. Does this circuit control
anything else ? Changed the fuse and all seems well but
what caused this ? Water ? Only thing I can think off but
I hardly pushed any water on the bike. Where should
I start looking for the water intrusion. Now the wife is
bummed and I'm a little leary of the long walk to ride it
right now. Hell if the water is the problem I could never make it
through a rain storm.
HELP !!

 

[Transam]

Guess I'll do the wd40 on all the wires to displace moisture
in the harness. Either that or use wire dryer, then go thru and
try and waterproof every connector in the circuit. Sure was weird
though. Maybe moisture in the start switch.
Ideas ?

 

[Heretic]

I've had issues with water getting into the right side handlebar electronics housing and having it cut out the tach and headlight. Never blown a fuse though, and it was always after I washed it. I have ridden in driving rain and have never had the problem occur due to that. Best bet is to take apart that housing and making sure that all the connections/circuit boards are good and not corroded. While its apart its a good time to clean and add a dab of grease to the starter button detent ball (you'll know it when you see it). to keep the switch from sticking. I am sure that you can make if more waterproof by plugging the wiring hole with silicone. Best bet is to keep any pressurized water away from the handlebar and headlight area.

 

[Transam]

Thanks Heretic,
Woke up this morning and that had popped into my head.
Should have bagged the controls. I'll take the controls
apart , get the moisture out and smear a little dialetric
grease on the wires and that ball. Weird how the same
doesn't happen in the rain, maybe combination of angle
and pressure I guess.
Thanks again,
Chris

 

[Transam]

Well,
Took apart the controls on both sides, cleaned and
lubed with di-electric grease. ( Throttle cable housing broke ! )
Popped another fuse so started looking. Found the stop light
switch looking like this. ( see pic) Pretty sure it was not meant
to be this way. ( 2 pieces) Corrosion bad at the plug also. Part is only
$13 or $14 bucks but the stealers want $14 to ship and if I
want it by the weekend they want $35 shipping. What a rip !
Hopefully this has been the problem, it sure isn't helping. If anyone
knows where I can get the switch by the weekend without being
raped please let me know.