[ryonsdad]

I have an 88 softail springer. After about and hour or so riding steady, the electrical just quits. No dash or headlites, no power, not nothing. Pull to the side of the road and the lights return. Starts right up. Go a little ways further and the same thing. It is usually warm outside (90's). I have tried "tweaking" the ignition switch by moving the position watching the dash lights which seems to help some. After a couple stops like this, starts right up and goes on without any other problems. Anyone run across this before? Thanks!

[Ted]

Originally Posted by ryonsdad

I have an 88 softail springer. After about and hour or so riding steady, the electrical just quits. No dash or headlites, no power, not nothing. Pull to the side of the road and the lights return. Starts right up. Go a little ways further and the same thing. It is usually warm outside (90's). I have tried "tweaking" the ignition switch by moving the position watching the dash lights which seems to help some. After a couple stops like this, starts right up and goes on without any other problems. Anyone run across this before? Thanks!

Hi ryonsdad
Start by cleaning the battery posts. Take them apart to clean. Try turning the lights on and moving wires until the lights blink you might find a bad connection that way. Start with the EZ things. Later ole Ted.

[ringo912]

Ditto on what Ted said, also you might want to change the MCB, (main circuit breaker). It is located on a panel between the rear palstic fender guard and the battery. It is mounted above the TSSM, (turn signal security module). The MCB is about $15. It is easier to get it off if you remove the rear fender guard. They come in two sizes, 30 amp and 40 amp. Make sure you get the right one for your bike.

It is a heat sensitive breaker, but is not affected by outside temperature. If there is heat build up from an elctrical issue the breaker trips and kills all power to the bike. When it cools off power is returned. So yours may just be old or you have an electrical issue somewhere that is tripping the breaker. You can check this with a volt meter. You should get a readng of 12-12.5 volts with the bike off and 14.14.7 volts with the bike running.

If your getting a higher reading, you have an electrical issue that is creating resistance in the wiring somewhere. Resistance creates electrical heat build up.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you find.

[hotroadking]

IF the main circuit breaker is popping it's for a reason,

Check the wires leading to it, I believe there is one going to the starter, make sure the starter bolt for the pos wire is down tight and that the wire hasn't broken and that the connectors are on properly.

Found mine had broken, it would do the same thing, run fine, then pow! you'd think you'd been shot with a gun, die, turn off, reset the breaker, turn on and fire it up, got to where I was doing it at 70 MPH going down the road when it popped, pull in clutch, flip off main switch, flip on hit the starter, it would fire right up.

Replaced breaker and it stopped for a while but came back, In any event you should replace the breaker, you can get one at any parts store for automotive, take the old one in with you they can match it up, about $4 vs hd's $10.