Motorcycle Repair: 1999 883XLC, jumper wire, speedo needle

Question
HELP !!!!! I stopped to get some gas, filled it up. I then started the bike and moved it 25 feet to go get a cold drink and a smoke. When I got ready to start the bike, the starter just went pop, and that was it. The odd thing is, that with the key in the ACCS> postion, the seppedo light comes on. But when I turn the key all of the way, nothing happens....no headlight, no dash activity. Afer trying several times turning the key. once it a great while the dash lights and the headlight do come on. Thw headlight shines bright and steady, but the speedo needle bounces up and down, and the difital odometer blinks. We got it started once bt rolling it and dumping the clutch. It soounded absolutely horrible. Any ideas on where to start???

Thanks

Answer
Almost sounds like you have bad ignition switch and its shorting out. I would start by taking a jumper wire fromt he battery and bypass the ignition switch and see how the bike runs. If it runs ok then you have a bad switch. If it doesnt then you probably have a short in the wiring. You would have to trace wires with a test light to find the problem
Merry Christmas
Mike