I need to winterize my bike while I'm fixing it up but my clutch perch and lever are busted so how can I start the motor?

Barna

Replace them? Your going to need to anyway.

You may be able to grab the cable end with a pair of plyers and pull it out, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are 100% sure it's in neutral.

I'm ordering all my parts which will take 3 weeks by the time I get them.  The bike's been sitting now for 2 weeks and it's best if I just winterize it to avoid the bad gas contaminating the carbs.

Actually, what you suggested doesn't sound like a bad idea... any other way if this fails?

Barna

Not sure, I don't actually own a GS500 yet. But that method worked on my old bike after I dropped it and snapped the lever off.

Ah... depending on where it is, some bikes have an external swing-lever just above the clutch on the engine (where the cable turns from pull-push to turn movement). If this is accessable on the GS, you might be able to actuate it there as well.

Or get real inventive, use a bicycle brake lever assembly! Might require a little rigging, but it could work in a pinch and with enough duct-tape.

Ok, I pulled it and the motor did not budge, nor was there a momentary drain in power.  It was in neutral and the kill switch was off... I don't get it.

Barna

Hmm...

Battery could be to low to kick the starter over, possibly. Especially if it's in an unheated garage/shed. Put it on a charger for a bit and see if that helps.

Ok, does anyone know where the Clutch Switch is? Is it in the clutch itself, or is it built into the lever mechanism?

Additional Info:

-My speedo/tach assembly has been removed
-headlight removed (except rear bucket - wiring harness untouched)
-The clutch perch male connectors bent slightly but re-straightened, everything else looks fine.

-The clutch switch assembly looks fine - can I trick it internally?

Barna

From looking at the wiring schematic, the clutch safety switch is normally open; that means, that when the clutch lever is pulled in, that the switch makes contact to complete the circuit.  It's in series with the starter switch, so if there is no contact, your starter won't spin.  It is actuated by the lever itself.  Here's a link to the assembly:

http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/300_0027/handle_lever_1990-1996/handle_lever_1990-1996.cfm

Item 21 is the switch.  If you take it apart and short across the two contacts,  your engine should start.  Remember to make sure your bike is in neutral--  put it up on the centerstand and roll the wheel to ensure it spins.  It won't hurt to have the clutch disengaged to start it.  I had to permanently bypass the switch on my '78 GS400 because the choke lever was on the carbs, and I needed to have my left hand free to manipulate it, since it was more cold-natured than the GS500, if you can believe that.

Edit:  You could also short the two wires together and not mess with the switch at all.  Modifying the switch is the more permanent solution, but shouldn't be necessary since the choke is progressive and the lever is near the clutch lever anyway.

IT WORKED!

I took the safety switch off, cleaned the contacts, and just joined the two temporarily and voila!

Thanks guys!

Barna