ignition fuse not failed but problematic?

[Jo Rhett]

Okay, this is weird.  At Thunderhill a few weeks ago I had the sv650  
just gutter to a stop coming out of turn 12.  I managed to get it to  
gutter into the pits and then walked to my van.  Hitting the starter  
kicked the engine over, it stank of fuel but it wouldn't run.  Since  
this was my expected last lap of the last session of the day, I just  
took it home.

Today I propped up the tank and went through everything.  I couldn't  
find anything wrong -- carbs synced, lines tight, vacuum lines in  
place, petcock operating, spark plugs still nearly brand new.  WTF?

Finally I looked at the fuses.  Not a single fuse looked bad.  Out of  
desperation I swapped out the ignition fuse... and voila! bike kicks  
over and starts up nearly instantly like nothing was wrong.

I tested, and without the fuse the bike wouldn't even try to kick over  
so the fuse itself hadn't fully failed.

Was this coincidence?   Or is it possible that a fuse would fail  
somewhat but not entirely?  Is there anything else to examine here to  
find a clue?

-- 
Jo Rhett /  velociRaptor Racing
#553 WERA / AFM