My XJ650RJ SECA has been running strong however on a recent trip to Rome, GA the motor cutout dead at 60mph.  The way it cut out was so quick it seemed electrical to me.  Fuel was OK.   Battery charge is great.  Fuses are good.  Lights and horn are strong.  When I tried to restart the silver bullet I get nothing, no starter turn over.  The only other thing abnormal is the neutral light does not come on.  So my question is can a bad neutral switch cause a running motor to shutdown?  If not any other places I should look?  Is the neutral light a Red herring?

Thanks for the help.

Mojo

'82 Yamaha XJ650RJ SECA

Because you didnt blow a fuse and because some electrical stuff still works, I suspect that you have an "open" somewhere. If it really is an electrical problem.

Suddenly. I am called away. More later...

I'm back:  Just to be sure, the kill switch is in the 'run' position? Some kill switch circuits kill the starting motor circuit as well. Get out your wiring diagram and check this circuit. Does it 'bump' start?  If it bump starts, then it might very well be a neutral switch problem. Getting it to crank is the first problem.

Once you get it cranking, if it still doesnt run; then: Check the easy stuff first. Do you have a sidestand and clutch interlock that is gummed up? Remove a spark plug to see if you have spark or not. Is the plug damp with fuel or dry as a bone? Your problem could be zero fuel delivery.

The wiring harness gets taut where it passes the streering head. Turn the forks to see how tight it might be. Its possible to break a wire in this area over time. It is possible to break a wire here without the insulation parting. So, just because it 'looks good' doesnt mean it is good. Other favorite places for wiring to fail are where the pass into the headlite shell and at the back of the ignition switch.

Edit; It occurs to me that you may not be in neutral but between some other pair if gears. Thus, you might rock the bike back and forth while downshifting to be sure that you get first gear. Then up a tick to get neutral. The light may illuminate now and the bike start. Squeezing the clutch regardless of which gear it might be in or where it is in the gearbox should allow the bike to crank. If it doesnt crank, maybe the little interlock switch at the clutck lever is gummed up?  end edit.

When you resolve this, let us know what it was. I always like to play "Stump the Chump" and find out how wrong I was/am.

nobody rides half as well as they know how.

It won't bumpstart and won't turn over with the clutch engaged.  I'm giving the yammy dealer a shot since the bike is in a different town.  I'll post what they say.

Mojo

'82 Yamaha XJ650RJ SECA