I'd like to begin by thanking everyone here.  I started looking for my first bike about 3 weeks ago, and primarily because of the general enthusiasm here, I ended up with a 97 GS500.  I want to especially thank those of you who suggested a used bike to start with, because in the ten days since I got it, I've fallen over twice.

Here's the first of what will likely be many questions.  My bike will only start with the bike in neutral and the clutch lever released.  When I first got the bike, I was confused by this, because when I took the safety course, I recall that the clutch lever had to be pulled in to start the bike.  If I squeeze the clutch, the starter button does nothing.  If I have the bike in gear and the clutch lever released, the bike will jump forward when I press the starter.

I didn't think too much of it because I don't know much about bikes, but today I sat down to read my owner's manual, and it says that the bike has a starter interlock system and the engine can only be started if:

"The transmission is in neutral and the clutch is disengaged, or The transmission is in gear, the side stand is fully up, and the clutch is disengaged."

As I read that, it seems to me to say that I should be able to put the bike in first gear, squeeze the clutch, and start the bike, but my bike insists on being in neutral with the clutch lever released.

My sense is that something is backwards, but I'm very new to motorcycles, so I just don't know.  Can anyone help?

Thank you very much.

Smooth Dave

I've never heard of this before, but I think I know just what the problem is.  Look at the bottom of your clutch perch (where the lever is attached):



The circled item in the picture is your clutch safety switch.  It sounds exactly like someone has turned it around - perhaps when replacing a broken clutch cable?

If I'm right, you should just need to:

1) Remove the two screws and pull the switch housing downward.
2) Flip the (white plastic) switch inside to the opposite end of its travel.
3) Turning the switch housing around.
4) Reinstall the switch housing.[/list:u]  Give that a shot, and let us know the results!

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

Sounds backwards to me, but i couldn't tell you why.  Maybe a switch hooked up backwards or something.

Mine will not start at all with the the transmission in gear and the center or side stand down.

Will start if

1.  In neutral, stands up or down, and clutch disengaged.

2.  In gear with stands up and clutch disengaged.

edit: What kerry said

That was it!  Thank you very much.  That picture you included made it very easy to understand what you were talking about.  I'm not sure I ever would have found it without that.

But, of course, this raises another question.  Now when I squeeze the clutch and hit the starter, the engine starts as it should, but the bike springs forward ever so slightly.  It's not much, but its almost like the bike is partially in gear.  After that little kick, it seems to run fine.  Is it normal for the bike to do that?

Thank you again.

Smooth Dave

thats common on lots of bikes. no biggy your plates arent warmed up, have thick oil and may slightly engage.

Quote from: SmoothDaveNow when I squeeze the clutch and hit the starter, the engine starts as it should, but the bike springs forward ever so slightly.

Yep, that's normal if the bike is in gear.  I usually start the bike in neutral, for 1 (or more) of 3 reasons:

1) In the morning I start the engine as I'm backing out of my shed.  I don't like to get exhaust fumes in my shed, so I start backing up before I hit the starter button.  It's hard to back up with the (cold) engine in gear and not running.

2) Coming home from work I start the engine before I put on my gloves and attach the tank bag to the fuel tank.  This allows the engine to warm up a bit before I'm ready to go.

3) Just in case!  You never know when something might go wrong and surprise you before you're "in the zone" and ready to ride....[/list:u]I'm glad your bike is working normally now.

Welcome to

GStwin.com!

HAHA, That happend to me the other weekend after I installed a new handlebars. I figured it out real quick. Welcome to the site

Thank you for the start up tips.  I would like to follow up on one thing you mentioned above.  You speculated that perhaps the switch was reversed when the clutch cable was replaced.  Do clutch cables break often, and what might cause them to break?  My bike is a 97 with 4300 miles on it and it looks like it is in pretty good shape.  My impression is that is not a lot of miles for something like a clutch cable to snap.  How common is that?

Thank you again.

Smooth Dave

Oops!  I said "clutch cable" but I meant "clutch lever".  Does that help?

The clutch lever can break when the bike is dropped on the left side.  I dropped my bike last year when I was distracted and got off without putting the kickstand down.     But in my case the lever didn't break - it bent instead:



I took the pictures (and learned more about that switch) when I finally replaced my lever a couple weekends ago.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

Kerry, you're ruining my deluded little world.  I've had this bike for less than two weeks, and I've dropped it twice in that time.  Last week, as I was sitting here lurking after dropping it the second time, I figured that by the time I had 1400+ posts to this forum, there's no way my bike would ever hit the pavement.

Last night I found a newsgroup posting with 128 ways to drop my motorcycle.  I guess I've got 126 to go.   :lol:

Thank you.  I've got a lot more questions, but I guess I need another thread.

Smooth Dave

oooooh a 97, very good year!!!  :lol:  that is the year of my good ole gal she a 97 also :mrgreen: