Hooked up wiring / Clutch cable hot

I just finnished hooking up my wiring and not good. I pulled the cluth a couple of times and blew my main fuse. My clutch cable was quite warm when I touched it. I also noticed my speedo light goes out when I touch the front brake. Bad ground?, wires crossed? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

The bike is a 1979 KZ400 LTD

Post edited by: Fireburst, at: 2006/04/08 13:26

A bad ground could cause that, but usually the problem is with the wiring coming from the handlebar mounted switches shorting out against the handlebars.

If you replaced the handle bars with ones that require you to run the bar mounted switch wires on the outside, make certain to NOT push the clutch perch and master cylinder up against the switch housings like they were originally. The switch housings also need to be notched as well to keep the wires from being pinched against the handle bars.
I had the same problem when I switched to Superbike bars on my 650. I notched the switch housings with my Dremel tool and ran the wires externally, but pushing the clutch perch and master cylinder against the switch houses eventually chewed through the insulation and kept blowing fuses.
I since then have pulled the perch and master cylinder away from the switches, repaired the damaged wires, and haven't had a prob since.

Thanks guys, the short was in the kill switch.