Motorcycle Repair: 1971 Honda 750 Four, honda 750 four, electrical system

Question
I just changed to a new battery and drove about 10 miles and the electrical system died while i was stopped at a traffic light.  Nothing.  No lights, no engine, no start button.  zero.  battery registers 14.2 volts after i removed it and reinstalled it.  still nothing.  i smell no smoke.  could the battery have a weak ground or something inside it?

Answer
Sounds like you have blown the main fuse.  Look for a black plastic thing with a fuse wire in it near the battery.  basically follow the positive wire to where it goes into the wiring loom.  Somewhere in that track will be a fuse.  Use the correct wire when replacing.  You do NOT want your wiring loom to act as a fuse, trust me.  If the fuse is OK check the ignition switch.

Good luck,  Jan