New and having some trouble...

Hi,interesting one this. In England this happens when people put Diesel in the Tank, or vice versa. Assuming its not Diesel, or water in your new Gas, and you were on full lock, the Ignition light fluttered, then a tight cable around the headstock has broken a wire, and, or, shorted one out. These bikes benefit from running an Earth from the headlamp componants direct to the Battery Earth point. If that is not Electrical, then suspect blocked filters on the Gas Taps inside the tank, often forgotten. Its an old bike, and the tank is proberly rusty inside. Thats where I would start first. I have run old vehicles for 50 years now, fence wire and string fixes most things! Best of luck, Paul

Running an electronic ignition? Your symptom occurs when running with an EI and a bad battery that cannot hold a charge. As soon as the battery is loaded (headlight on?) the voltage drops below 10v and the EI goes to full advance. The engine will only run above 3000 rpm. Get-home mode is first gear. The solution in this case is pretty simple: new battery.

If all other suggestions fail,Try cleaning the kill switch and the master switch. You can do both with a little common since Just remember how every thing cam apart. Try these things one at a time so you know what one caused the problem.

Phil

+1 on the kill switch. The headlamp is a great spot for intermittent shorts to occur and the connector block under the tank is a well known POS! The stock connectors are a rolled metal tube that the bullets push into. The tubes crack and cause intermittent failures. One needs to learn something about 12v electrics and to be able to test for faults. I would recommend going through the bike and replacing stock connectors but particularly the big rubber block!

I wouldn't take it to a mechanic for this. Find someone who can help you learn about the wiring harness even if you have to buy them lots of beer. If you are planning on a trip to Alaska in the near future, stop in. You can help me wire my bike for practice.

Russ