Looks like I've got a short in the kill-switch wire somewhere. At least that's my best guess at this point. Before I start taking things apart, I figured I'd prevail upon the wisdom of the more knowledgeable and see if there was any generic or specific advice on where to start first, how to best test it (i do have a volt meter, but some advice on how to best use it would be appreciated), potential pitfalls, etc.
My current plan is to start with the housing and check for bare or loose wires. Anyone got any other ideas?
Well, for better or worse, I got the tank unbolted and shifted back enough to get to the wiring harness. Disconnected the harness and now have the entire housing/wires/harness assembly off. Guess there's not much else to do but take off the black covering and see if I can find bare or broken wires.
FYI, once I got the housing disconnected from the handlebars, I tried it all again and got the same results no matter what position/location I held the housing in. My conclusion there was that the problem is south of the handlebar area of the wires, and most likely near where the zip ties were attached.
Will do. At first inspection, all the wires look fine. No obvious cuts, abrasions, or overly sharp kinks. Guess the next thing to do is re-plug the harness and start wiggling individual wires.
No one out there knows exactly which ones (of the 8 or so) actually have to do with the ignition, do you? I am not familiar with reading wiring diagrams, but the one I found seems to indicate that it may be the solid green wire.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: just realized I omitted a potentially critical fact: when the bike dies, EVERYTHING turns off - no power whatsoever. The lights go out and the dash goes dark.
like the key was removed...that should point you in the proper direction.
btw, the black wrapping tape...someone a while back said that the tape used to wrap hockey sticks at the handle is the same stuff.
many people have found a break when searching for what you describe and have merely re spliced with success.
'09 SchwarzeBlanche DuBois Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Making headway! Good news, bad news: it isn't in the right wiring bundle. I replugged it, moved it all around - each wire - and couldn't reproduce the problem (yes, just like removing the key). On a whim, I moved the handlebars and was able to make it happen again. Started clipping zip ties for the wires attached to the left hb, and was able to isolate the problem to the big bundle that comes out of the lh housing. Also tried moving around wires that came out of the spedo, but couldn't get a reaction.
So, I spent a lot of time eliminating a source of the problem. :-). On the positive side, I now know those wires are good, and they'll soon have a brand spanking new cover.
Well, that wasn't it either. But at least I figure that out before getting it apart. However, I'm pretty sure I did find the problem. It seems to be a wire that connects to a relay down near the horn. But, it's pouring friggin cats & dogs now, so I've got everything covered up while I'm waiting out the rain.
I will get pictures after I'm able to resume work. Ggrrr.
Well, I got the wire from the dealer, installed it, and all is well. Put about 600 mi on it this weekend, including 2 runs on The Dragon. So far, so good. ... But i have another issue I'm going to ask about separately.
Had this happen to me on the 300 mile trip back from the 5 State Run at Guymon ( http://www.5staterun.com/) to OKC, except that it started with left turns of the handle bars.
Shame on me for not reading the forums and knowing to clip the too-tight wire ties.
Unfortunately I had no time to work on the bike myself before another trip to Hot Springs, AR (sister was in from MI for the trip so couldn't cancel) so had to take the bike in to the dealer. I'm still walking funny.
But at least I figure that out before getting it apart. However, I'm pretty sure I did find the problem. It seems to be a wire that connects to a relay down near the horn. But, it's pouring friggin cats & dogs now, so I've got everything covered up while I'm waiting out the rain. 
... But i have another issue I'm going to ask about separately. 
