84 KZ 550 blowing fuses

I've got an 84 Kawasaki KZ 550 that keeps blowing the first of five
fuses in the fuse box. The guy I bought it from rode it over here last
week and I got it started after he left. He's coming over tomorrow to
look at it, so I'm pretty sure he hasn't done anything underhanded. The
day after I bought it, it wouldn't start. I had the battery checked,
and it was depleted. I bought a new one and charged it at home. After
putting that in the bike, it still wouldn't start. I then noticed the
first fuse was blown so I replaced the 10A fuse with a 14A one. As soon
as it made contact with the bike, it blew. I've checked all the wiring
and can't find a short anywhere. No matter how I do it, if there is a
fuse in the slot and the battery is hooked up, the fuse blows. Any
ideas?

Isaac

 

It might help us if you told us what the first of the five fuses is
supposed to take care of. Look at a manual.

 

I've got a Haynes manual that came with the bike. Since it covers so
many iterations of the model and it's relatives, it's a lot harder to
read than the automotive Haynes manuals.

According to the wiring diagram, the first fuse goes to the front of
the bike to an 'electrical accessory terminal.' Very descriptive.

Isaac

 

I bet you're right. Could just be dirt and a short in the ignition
switch contacts as well.

 

LOL

OK, yes, you have a problem ))

 

You mentioned that there was a 10A fuse in there and you put in a 14A. Does
your manual say what the circuit's rated for? You mentioned 'accessory', do
you have any odd switches, old wires hanging out, or anything that looks
like it was added? Look for any bare cooper wiring anywhere? Finally, if it
is an "accessory", are you sure it's needed to run the bike? You might be
barking up the wrong tree.

 

They guys at kzrider.com are usually pretty helpful. you might check
there.

 

Get a test light or multimeter and check for 12v at ign coils. If you have
power there with ign switched on then blown fuse isn't your problem.
JOhn

 

As others have suggested, pull the tank and look at
the wiring runs under the tank and going into the
headlight. Also look for any bodges left behind by
a previous owner. Most likely, you can find it this way.

If visual inspection doesn't work you really need a wiring
diagram and a multimeter to check continuity. You'd
start from the fusebox and disconnect plugs one by
one making notes of what you were doing and testing
to see if the short went away. If it went away, the problem
would likely be in the last thing you unplugged from
the harness. If it never went away, the problem is
in the main harness.