Motorcycle Repair: Yamaha Virago Headlight Malfunction, yamaha virago 535, 1996 yamaha virago 535

Question
I purchased recently a used 1996 Yamaha Virago 535 and am generally pleased with the bike. However, upon occasion, the headlight either fails to turn on when starting the bike, or cuts off after the bike is running. I have checked for loose connections into the headlamp and all appears ok. What could be causing this and whatcan I do to check for malfunctions?

Answer
Hi Charlie.
 There are only a couple of possibilities for an intermittently failing headlight, beyond what you have already checked.

1)  Short in the wiring to the headlamp from power or to ground from the headlamp.

2)  Loose/bad/dirty connection in the ignition switch.  This could also cause you to lose all power till you jiggle the switch again.

3)  Bad/failing fuse or loose fuse connection.

 My money is on a short or the fuse, since the headlamp is the only circuit affected.

Let me know how it goes.
Good luck.
FALCON