Thanks for your kind words Hawk and Sprock.
I must point out that having the opportunity to join a fellow BCR rider in his man cave for a bit of trouble shooting can only ever be a win win situation. The bike came back to life and I got to wear a stupid grin when the text came through that she'd fired up. I'm still wearing it after a good night's sleep. To be honest Steve, I'm amazed you got her back together yesterday evening. Your spannering prowess is right up there mate, and a bonus plastic weld. Excellent stuff.
Now you know the mystery of continuity testing you shouldn't have any further problem finding any future problems, if they should arise. it really isn't rocket science eh?
Given what we've learned from this, if anyone else manages to short their live battery terminal to ground and then finds the main fuse blowing it would appear to be a dead cert that one or two of the diodes in the reg/rec have been fried. Lesson learned.
Good thing you had a spare Steve.
I wonder if it's not such a bad idea to wrap a bit of black insulating tape around the frame member adjacent to the battery terminal to prevent a similar accident.
I'll be down as soon as I can ride again, definitely.
Take care all. Ride (and fly) safe!

 

That sounds like a top tip to me Henry and something I'll definitely do next time I'm in the garage.

 

Good job guys! I guess if the R/R gets fried the PN material may go to straight-through and blow the fuse, something to think about.

AC in a DC system...not so good!

I'm also thinking this beer I'm drinking got skunked at some point.
My problems are many....11 more to go the in the 12 pack.

 

Hang on in there mate, you can do it!