Pulling my hair out!

So I got a new pair of clubman handlebars today.

Excitedly I move the signals to another location and move the horns as well (so I could put the signals in their place..) and install the clubmans.

My clutch engagement switch unfortunately broke in this process.... I did everything else I could....but decided to just bypass the switch by twisting the two wires together. I hop on to try out my new bars.

My starter wont do a thing! No juice getting to it at all. Its in neutral.. The kickstand is up, the clutch switch wires are tied together (also tried without touching the wires)....

So...Whats the deal here? Any ideas?

 

Is the starter switch properly grounded with the new bars?

 

Uhm...

You may have just found a nomination for the bonehead awards...

How do I ground it to the bars??

 

I think they should be Grounded.
Back-test the Path with a Meter or a Test Light.

Put the Ground strap for the light on the Positive Side of the Battery and probe the Bars to see if the Light shows that theres a good path for Ground.

I'd try and fix the wiring to that Switch; too.
That's a pretty important feature to have working properly!

 

Yes,
I agree. I'm going to replace that switch very soon...I'd hate to stall it in an intersection then fumble around with the gears and such. Dangerous.

 

So strange.

I went to sandpaper some of the paint off the bars to ensure a good ground, and, while the switch was dangling there, for curiosities sake I hit the button and it fired right up.

Strange.

 

Yep. It was the paint on the bars keeping it from grounding properly.