83 GS1100 Dies for no reason

[P1NK EL3PHANT]

The bike dies at random, it will do it at idle or at speed. Does it when it's hot or cold. It just quits. Like I shut it off. No coughing or sputtering. Just dead. But it starts right up like nothing is wrong, but I'm stumped. I replaced the electronic ignition (pulser/advance) It's not a fuel problem. Anyone experience this??

 

[tom203]

Sounds electrical- like a connection in ignition switch, kill switch or in a connector along path from ignitor and signal coils or even a even a fuse that is failing.

 

[Johno]

The bike dies at random, it will do it at idle or at speed. Does it when it's hot or cold. It just quits. Like I shut it off. No coughing or sputtering. Just dead. But it starts right up like nothing is wrong, but I'm stumped. I replaced the electronic ignition (pulser/advance) It's not a fuel problem. Anyone experience this??

There is a reason you just need to find it.

A bad connection short or similar is most likely.

Lack of regular maintenance by previous owners!

You need to make your way along the wiring harness from the battery and check every connection and switch.

 

[Guest]

Intermittant problems are the worst to troubleshoot.
It does sound like a wiring/ignition problem.
Since you say it does it when it's hot or cold it doesn't sound like a thermal problem.
Do you lose your lights when it dies, or do they stay on?
If they stay on, I would start with the ignition circuit first.

 

[Badooka]

Chase the ground- every single one.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Usually on cars, this means a loose motor ground.

 

[70GT]

The bike dies at random, it will do it at idle or at speed. Does it when it's hot or cold. It just quits. Like I shut it off. No coughing or sputtering. Just dead. But it starts right up like nothing is wrong, but I'm stumped. I replaced the electronic ignition (pulser/advance) It's not a fuel problem. Anyone experience this??

I had the same thing going on and a bad run/off switch was the problem on my bike .

 

[Guest]

Check the wiring in the headlight bucket. Bet you have a wire that is shorting when you turn the handlebars. Probably the kill switch wires. Ask me how I know!

 

[gremlin]

whats on your key ring. some times they will swing or twist. causing the interment problem.

 

[terrylee]

Had the exact problem with 450, it would just die all of sudden with no lights or anything, soon as turned key off and back on everything worked. Changed ignition switch (after trying to clean old one), no more problem. terrylee

 

[Guest]

Also make sure the fuse block is clean and replace the fuses.