Motorcycle Repair: Suzuki GN250, volt ohm meter, fuse panel

Question
Hi I know that you are a Honda Man but I'm desperate to go for a ride. I live on the west coast of the South Island in new Zealand & don't know who else to ask so please help. There is nothing when I press the switch...the light doesn't dim and I checked the main fuse and there is power to both sides. not sure what to check now? I have done a bit of work on cars but don't know my way around bikes...yet. thanks heaps if you answer this Clair

Answer
Clair, your right, I'm more of a Honda mechanic and I normally don't try to answer questions on other brands so I don't mislead someone but I'll see if I can help you out.  If you have a volt ohm meter, we can probably figure this out together.

The circuit on all motorcycles are about the same.  There's probably a main fuse that you have already checked.  The circuit goes to the ignition switch and then to a fuse panel somewhere.  On the ingnition switch, you will see a red wire.  See if that has voltage coming into the switch from the main fuse.  If it does check the other wires coming out of the switch when you turn the switch on and off.  If the switch is working, you'll have to check down stream.

There are a couple of things that can cause a total black out.  It could be a bad switch or the connectors going to the ignition switch could be corroded preventing the circuit from closing.  Also, the ground circuit could be bad.  There has to be a ground from the battery to the frame and from the wiring harnesss to the frame or directly to the battery.  If the ground circuit is loose or corroded, or broken, it will prevent that whole system from working.

Regards
Rich