I had to get out on the bike today. Instead of heading to work, I took my lunch and a couple of other supplies, tossed it into the top box and headed out.
Wasn’t really sure where I was headed. I thought I might go up Putty road, then maybe down around to the west. I’ve done it once a while ago. You come back through Rylestone.
I started late, so it was warming up already as I reached the Putty. Stopped a couple of times along the way, including Grey Gums to eat and relax. Not pushing hard, but just going along.
Just out of Grey Gums I was accelerating away when the bike completely died. I’m not sure if it was just as I had the clutch in, or an instinctive reaction had me pull the clutch as it died (I think the first). Tried to restart as I coasted along with no avail. Not even noise from the starter.
Came to a stop on the roadside. Tried to start again but absolutely nothing. Not even a tick, or a whine or a twitch. Completely dead (though obviously getting power as all the dash was up).
Stepped off the bike and looked along it, thinking, well it’s not so far to get to Grey Gums (I was probably a few hundred metres).
Then inspiration!
I checked the kill switch, which WAS in the off position. Flicked it back to Run and everything started properly. Headed a little up the road where there was better space to pull over and figure out what’s happening. Have I got a loose kill switch that can just rock forward on its own?
It didn’t seem loose. There was definite force needed to move it and it was a solid click. It didn’t wobble back and forth. However, a bit more experimentation and I got it to sit neither quite on or off.
I think I must have bumped it with a glove or something at the stop, and just by chance found the spot where it was balanced. Then as I’ve accelerated and shifted gears it has rocked into the Off position and the bike stopped.
Random chance and that luck again. I’m thinking if it had just stopped while riding then a big rear lock up as the engine locks solid while in gear. Nasty.
Anyway, a moment thought and I kept on my route.
A little while later, not yet at the top of the Putty I decided to turn around and go home. I was getting drowsy and figured it would be better to go home. So I did.
Not the best mental health break, but something.
Nice spot under the Colo River Bridge though.
bikesbabesbytes 
