Bike Shut Off but Starts Right Up

For a coupe weeks, sometimes my bike shuts off for a fraction of a second. Some wouldn't notice it, it's just a fraction of a second.
I thought it might be carb related, until today when the bike shut off while riding. I pulled over and it started right up.
When it shut off, it was running and then was off. No kind of, it shut off. It ran fine the rest of the day.

If it ever quit while going over the bridge, with no shoulder at 50mph, the way they tailgate I may wind up dead. Or going around a corner when I give it gas to keep it from going over.

I'm thinking the places it could be from is:
1. The Key
2. The switch on the handle bar
3. The kickstand

Are there any other things it could be? How would I go about troubleshooting an intermittent problem like this?

Chris.

 

The most likely candidate is the ignition switch, 2nd choice would be the kill switch.

 

You're right to check the relays, but also check the main fuse, has the fuse box been updated ?

 

I had the same issue recently with my 1983 GSX550E. I would run fine, then when warm would stop, and be hard to start. Then start and be fine again.

I was a coil starting to break down, bought a set off ebay for a tenner. Cured it, then sold it! :wink:

 

Start with the sidestand switch.

Because of where it "lives" it's at the top of the suspect list. Plus it will cause exactly the symptom you're experiencing.

Granted, there are also a number of other possible causes (fusebox.) But start there.

 

I shut off the bike a lot when I stop, I put the stand down to kill the motor. Does the switch need cleaning?

Chris.

 

Yep! It's your prime suspect....

 

Does the neutral light flicker when you wiggle the key while it's in the ignition? The same thing a happened to me as it would turn off randomly and I would have to wiggle the key to get it back in the "on" position. The problem was caused by a weak spring inside of the ignition pushes the plastic tabs for electrical contact. I cleaned and extended them and it was fixed.

 

What is the purpose of shutting the bike when you come to a stop... To save gas.........bad practice to get into.......not worth it......
...just my opinion

 

Like when I go to the store. I pull into the parking lot and park. I turn off the motor by putting the kickstand down.

Chris.

 

When I look, what am I looking for? Corrosion? Dirty?

Does this mean I have to replace it or clean it?

 

Use fine grit sandpaper or emery board to clean/polish the terminals, then spray with CRC electronics parts cleaner (or similar), coat the pins with dielectric grease and reinstall.

 

I took it on a trip yesterday, it ran fine. Today I was at a friends house, when I left it didn't start. I put the stand down and back up and it started right up. Pretty sure it's the kickstand switch.

Thanks for the info on the procedure to maintain it.

Chris.

 

Flush it out really well with contact cleaner while operating the plunger.