The bike is an 85 shadow vt700

 

Check fuses? Particularly the main fuse on the starter solenoid?

 

Take your battery cables off and look for corrosion or loose cables. Check ground points. All fuses, look in your owners manual to find the hidden ones if you have those.Check to see if you have power to main switch.

 

These old bike have a flunky main fuse with a thin metal strip that corrodes and looses contact. Look for the small box with a cover near other connectors in the battery area. Replace it with a new in line fuse holder with 30 amp fuse.

 

Swifty2014 I did replace that fuse with an inline 30 amp fuse this weekend. After I replaced that bike would power on and after a few tries getting the bike to start and stay on the power would not turn back on.

 

Could be your keyswitch.

 

Maybe the battery died especially if the charging system is weak. If you jump it with a car battery it will eliminate all the battery problems and give plenty of crank amps to see how well it can start and run. And help diagnose the key switch also.

 

Also might be worth checking your start switch.

 

I have purchased a universal ignition switch from JP Cycles CycleVisions Ignition Switch | 362-058 | J&P Cycles to replace my old ignition switch. I took the old ignition switch off and am in the process of rewiring, but I have come across two wires labeled PA & FA. The universal switch has three prongs for IGN, Battery, and Starter. I have identified the battery and ignition wires. My question is where would I put the wires labeled PA & FA?

 

I would have to say that is not the ignition that I would have purchased for a replacement as it's more like a car ignition. That being said, would need to know the color of the wires to locate them on a diagram. Your new switch seems to do away with the starter button unless you aren't using it in that application. If you aren't then I believe the PA wire would be for the PARK feature on a standard 700 ignition where it lights up only the rear tail light for visibility when parked, which you won't have an ability to use, and the FA.... no idea without the color.

 

Would this be a better fitment Ignition Switch - Honda Cycle (35100MN4672) [40-15840] - $22.50 : Parts Reloaded, Your Source For Hard To Find Motorsports Parts

 

 

I have 1999 honda shadow aero and recently replaced rectifier, however when starting problem first started I thought it was key ignition as it seemed at times to not engage. Fast forward, turned key on recently and had no dash lights, no start. thought battery got fried again from rectifier over charging battery, However, I turned key all the way to start and got nothing, but then backed key off slightly and dash lights went on and bike started, so check that out. my fear is riding and key jogs to full position and bike shuts down in road. checked that in driveway and it shutdown after bumping it, so be careful. Iam replacing ignition, hope not too difficult