Turn of Key, no power

[He Man]

Im not sure how the key system works, but ever so often i can turn the key and the bike wont turn on. I have to wiggle it, or turn it on/off (at the key ignigtion) again to get the lights to go on.

I wasn't able to find any breaks in the wires locally.

[SpikeC]

 Could it be the switch?

[He Man]

the emergency cutoff switch, AFAIK doesnt allow the bikes systems to turn on, just kills the ignition.

what im talking about is turning the key from off to on, and the whole system powerup.

[SpikeC]

 Yes, that is the switch I was referring to. On some older BMW bikes the contacts inside the ignition switch could become corroded and work intermittently.

Or it could be the battery

[Howie]

Pull the main relay.  Turn key on.
  Power at 85?  
      Yes?  jump 30 to 87.  Bike powers up, replace relay.
      No?  Problem is either the ignition switch or in the wiring  between the switch and relay.

Oh, I assume you checked all fuses including the main fuse?