I bought a used, garage-kept 2005 Virago 250 with about 2,300 miles on it recently and it had been running great. But now nothing electric is working -- lights, neutral lamp, ignition, etc.
A couple days ago, I removed the seat after a short ride because I saw the seat wasn't properly bolted on (wasn't secured at all on the front bolt). After I put it back on (I think I got it right), when I turn the key I no longer get the headlight or any sign of any electrical connection. And, of course, it won't start. Could I have broken a connection by crushing something with the seat? How should I start troubleshooting this?
The last time I rode it, there was no sign of a problem. It started on the first try (without even using the choke) and ran smoothly for a 15 minute ride. After this problem came up, I did remove the seat again and looked around in there and didn't see any obvious problems. But I don't know much about electrical problems (or anything else, for that matter).
The battery electrolyte levels look okay. One column is just touching the low level line and one is just a bit above the upper level line. I don't see a date on it, so I don't know how old the battery is.
Does anyone have suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?