I had mentioned this problem at the end of this post (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7284) but I thought maybe I would get more feedback from a new thread.
Basically when changing out my clutch lever I think I might have broken some piece that is part of the clutch switch and now the bike wont start. Battery is good and the lights work fine and everything but the bike won't even try to start.
Is there a way to bypass the clutch switch by shorting the leads coming from the clutch handle? What is the best way to diagnose this problem? I am not experienced in dealing with electrical related problems...
Thanks
ASLAM.
Is the copper slider piece in the switch correctly( Did you put it back in.....meaning did it drop out before you screwed the switch assembly back together)?)?? They can be annoying to install on the bike...
Double check it (also see if it's clean...) and yes you can short across the little contacts to check it.
Good luck.
The copper slider piece is almost surely NOT in correctly. I think I broke the switch when I took out the original clutch lever. Is there a way to take out the clutch lever with out breaking this piece?
I noticed when I put the bike back together that there was a piece of broken plastic inside the crevase on the bottom of the original shift lever which I assume is the clutch switch for ignition...
How can I replace or repair the switch? I tried shorting the leads with a paper clip before and had no luck with starting the bike. I'd actually prefer not to have the clutch switch anyways.
ASLAM.
Ok well the problem is fixed.
I took the wires coming from the bottom of the clutch switch, cut them and then connected them with a wirenut and electrical tape. I put the assembly with the other wires in the headlight cavity.
At least now I don't have to hold the clutch in to start the bike. I always hated that feature.
Thanks for the reply.
ASLAM.
Ughhhhhh.... Better hope you don't leave it in gear and not pull the clutch in at the wrong moment....You'll be picking the bike up shortly after that.. You do know that's a safety feature?
Yes you have to remove that switch etc prior to removing the lever......
You may have been able to glue it back together.... or just replace it (now you'd have to splice it or replace the whole switch to put it back to normal..).
:roll:
I'll take the risk.
I don't have to hold the clutch to start the bike on my CBR... what's the point with the sidestand switch?
The only potential problem would be trying to start the bike in gear with the sidestand up if the clutch isn't pulled in. That's really not a big concern for me.
:dunno:
ASLAM.
I did the same thing when I took my clutch lever off. I broke the safety switch and the bike wouldn't start. I went to find a replacement part and the guy at the shop told me it'd probably be easier to just disconnect it. So that's what I did. I didn't cut it though, I just followed the wire back into the headlight and disconnected it. It was a really simple fix. Even before I broke the switch, it sometimes wouldn't engage when I pulled the clutch in. I like it a lot better without the switch, and I haven't found it a safety hazard at all. I usually start the bike in neutral anyway so its almost never an issue.
Later,
John L.
Edit: Actually, I think there might have been two connector plugs. I think I unhooked the wire from the switch to the bike at the connectors, and then plugged the other sides of the connectors from the bike into eachother to complete the circuit. It's still a lot easier than it sounds. I just figured one wire sent the signal to the switch and the other sent it back the the bike, so if I completed the circuit at the connectors it would save me the work of cutting and taping up the wires.
Quote from: DrtRydr23Edit: Actually, I think there might have been two connector plugs. I think I unhooked the wire from the switch to the bike at the connectors, and then plugged the other sides of the connectors from the bike into eachother to complete the circuit. It's still a lot easier than it sounds. I just figured one wire sent the signal to the switch and the other sent it back the the bike, so if I completed the circuit at the connectors it would save me the work of cutting and taping up the wires.
True, when I broke the switch at the clutch lever on my 97, I followed the wires into the headlight housing and unplugged them. On the 2 wires that they plug into, one has male plug end and other has female end. Just plug the 2 wires together and circuit is complete.
No longer need to pull clutch when starting. Bike must be in neutral with sidestand down to start. Actually on the GS you can stop in 1st gear and just put sidestand down to stop engine when desiring to park in gear.
I see no danger in this, all of my Hondas were same way, no switch on clutch. I'll be doing the same to the 02 GS too.
:oops:
Well if I had known this, I wouldn't have cut the wires....
But it works now so I'm happy enough :)
And yeah, the clutch switch is a bit much...
ASLAM.