k100rs electrical cut out

[zprovo]

I've got a wierd little electrical problem that I hope you guys and gals can help out with, here goes:
the other day while riding at night, my headlight, dash lights, and tail lights started flickering and cutting out, but the bike runs fine. when I shut the bike down, and tried to restart it...nothing, no headlight, no starter (though it sounded like the fuel pump pumped) no tail lights, no blinkers, though the brake light worked. I discovered that if I jiggled the shifter , 1st to neutral and back a couple of times, all the electrics will come back and the starter will work.
any thoughts?
I disconnected the gear position indicator switch, no change....

any help would be GREATLY appreciated as this K is my daily transportation.

[kioolt]

You are describing what happens when your load shedding relay has become de-energized because of worn or dirty starter brushes. When the starter brushes become dirty or worn the load shedding relay will de-energize. This will cause your headlight and various other accessories and light to go out also. The purpose of the load shedding relay is to turn these loads off while staring the bike. When the starter brushes get dirty or worn the load shedding relay will turn off these loads when it shouldn't. There is an article on how to clean the starter brushes on here http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml.

Most likely the connection between putting it is gear has nothing to do with your neutral switch. It is probably due to the fact that by putting it in gear you may have turned the engine a little with the transmission. When the starter won't work if you put the bike in gear and rock it back and forth you are turning the engine which will also turn the starter a little. When the starter turns a little the brushes may temporarily make good enough contact to work.

[CustomSarge]

kioolt hit it dead on. I'd only add to scrub the relay in its' socket as well. It probably won't help much, but doesn't hurt either. G.H <<<)))

[Bobmws]

The starter is the most likely suspect, as it provides ground for the system, weird but true. While you're stripped down to get at the starter, check and clean all the connections on the wiring harness, especially the group of ground wires on the frame backbone. Also take sarge's suggestion a bit further and clean all the relay plug ins, after all, you're dealing with 20 year old wiring.

[zprovo]

thank you guys, I appreciate the help.
looks like I'll be spending the weekend in the garage.
thanks again.

[zprovo]

:clap
back on the road!
that was pretty damn easy (once I got the starter out!)
Thanks again for all the help.