Electrical problem, PLEASE HELP!

[drblasto]

The last few times I've needed to drive my venerable '91 GS500e, I've needed to push-start it, because it seems that there is some sort of electrical problem somewhere in the bike that's causing the starter not to activate.  When I got the bike, it would very rarely not turn over on the first try, and more and more recently I've needed to release the clutch slowly or pump the clutch until the starter motor would turn.

Then, just the other day, it stopped entirely, no amount of shifting into Neutral or working the clutch lever would allow me to activate the starter.  I figure there's a loose connection or a safety switch somewhere that's malfunctioning, and I wonder if it would be in the clutch lever, or in the clutch cover itself, or elsewhere?

Any help would be appreciated!
Jerrold

[pantablo]

Yes there are 2 safety switches: one located in clutch lever housing, the other located at top of sidestand. But these are on-off switches and from your description it seems like the bike's battery has been going dead from lack of charge (or somply age), but that's just a guess on my part.
You may also check your air filter-they need cleaning every 2k miles or so and they will alter the air/fuel mixture enough to possibly cause leaner condition (harder to start).

I'm just shooting in the dark but that's my 2 cents...
btw-welcome Jarrold!

[drblasto]

Funny you responded to my message... I remember reading your web site 5 months ago (or so)... I think... you're the guy with the Ducati Monster mini-fairing on his bike, along with all sorts of other cool mods (1/5-turn throttle, etc), right?

At least, that's where I seem to recall seeing that picture you're using.

Anyway, you're on the right track, it's definitely a safety switch-related problem, and not a battery issue.  My headlight is strong as ever when I turn it on.  It's not that the engine is cranking slowly, it's that it either is or isn't.  A few weeks ago, I would hold the starter in, and let out the clutch slowly until the starter suddenly kicked in, so I'm basically 100% sure it's a safety switch problem.  The sidestand switch seems to be working fine, and judging by its past behavior with the clutch, I'd guess it's in the clutch lever safety switch.  Know anywhere that I could get some help locating the clutch lever safety switch?  I think something is just loose in there, or maybe corroded (the bike gets its fair share of weather).

Any help locating that switch would be appreciated.

-Jerrold

[Kerry]

Here is a post by Greg Gabis form the old Help. Starter Relay. thread:

[...]you can by-pass the clutch switch inside the headlight bucket. It is the yellow with green wire.  Unplug the wires that run out to the switch on the bar and plug the now free ends into each other. Thanks to Bob Broussard for that tip.

Now if I could just find the original tip from Bob Broussard....