# 2003 KAWASAKI VN1600A1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `583191` · 2006-05-28 · Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** KAWASAKI
- **Model:** VN1600A1
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 23,000
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65+ MPH ON I-64, A FRIEND RIDING BEHIND ME NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY MOTORCYCLE AND SIGNALED FOR ME TO PULL OVER. WHEN I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE COVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION JUST FWD OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. I COULD SEE THE GLOW OF FLAMES STILL BURNING THROUGH THE HOLE WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS PASSES. THE FIRE KEPT BURNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BY SMOTHERING IT WITH A RAG. MY FRIEND CALLED THE STATE POLICE WHILE I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THEY ARRIVED WITH AN AMBULANCE AND FIRE TRUCK, BUT JUST AFTER THE FIRE BURNED ITSELF OUT. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I FOUND THE HARNESS COMPLETELY FRIED AND MELTED INSULATOR ALL OVER EVERYTHING. TAKING THE BIKE INTO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR TUESDAY.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*