Pull up a chair..kinda long :electrical gremlin

[m13]

Sound familiar? I got my bike for sale, 2009 V7 Classic, and some guy's coming over to look at it today. Last night as I'm driving it back to my garage from the corner where it's sitting with the for sale sign, I turn into the drive and it shuts off.
NEVER done that before! so it starts right back up and I drive it down the street, all seems good, then in my turn at the cul de sac it shuts off again. It starts right back up and I get it home without a hitch. A few driveway runs and intermittent shut offs it seems only while in gear. SHEEZ!
    This morning go back out to further check. Same thing.. intermittent shutoff as I drive off in first. Hmmm. I'm thinking one of these safety switches gone haywire. already 80 degrees out and sweating...Then I happen to be sitting idling in neutral wondering why Me?,.. why now? I turn the handlebars slightly to the left and she shuts down!!! AH HA!! I start her back up , jiggle a wire bundle near the steering head and she dies..YES!! only a broken wire!!
BUT.. and those that have a V7 know,.. I got to remove the tank to access the entire wire bundle. These tanks come off easy but a BEAR to push back on..,but no choice. Off with the tank (well unbolt and lift) and unplug the 9 wire bundle from under the tank to the clutch cluster. I Slit up the covering and look for the obvious discoloration, loose connector pin,..nothing. NOT A PROBLEM i get out my multitester to check each wire and the multitester battery is dead! Go to store, replace battery,.. check all 9 wires and all 9 are good!! Now I am baffled.
   I plug them back and turn on the ignition switch..Nothing.. Hmm, so I happen to brush against the small double wire harness from the ignition switch and a needle sweep and power! Christ the bad wire is from the switch!! The moving of the 9 wire harness had been bumping the ignition wires the whole time! DUH.
SO, yep..I'm still going, So I wiggle the ignition switch wire and off,..on...off,...on,Yep.. Found it. BUT WHAT A BEAR to remove the darn thing, But I did get it off (had to use an impact driver..Wha??)and a local electronics shop re soldered the failed connection and all back together again, didn't charge me either...What a trip!
So the guy will have a running bike to look at this evening...I didn't think he would. and it's STILL frigging hot outside!

[Penderic]

Good description of the problem. Glad you found it! 

[StuCorpe]

I hate it when things like that happen! But at least you have good final results.

[m13]

Thanks, was an interruption I didn't need, but fortunately resolved now. If the guy had bought the bike and then the next day it began acting up and stranded him , or worse?..I'd have looked pretty lame. Glad it's done and since my posting, the guy just called saying he is at a bank getting a loan for the bike. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

[John A]

That is a wear part, have one on the shelf if you have a high mile Guzzi. I got my last one at..............Eis hes!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Good find.
Try and fix the wires so they don't flex anywhere near a solder joint, that's the first place they will work harden and snap.