I'm working on cleaning up the wiring on my bike and removing unneeded wires. I'm running the bike without the side covers so less wires = cleaner looking bike.
The sidestand switch has been bypassed on my bike for a long time now and I decided to remove it. Yes, I know that it's dangerous, but I'm willing to take the risk and am 100% positive that I'll never start riding with the sidestand down.

I removed the sidestand switch and small diode completely and connected the blue/blue-black wires (between the neutral switch and light) and green wire on the sidestand relay to ground (black-white). Everything seems to work ok - the neutral light works and the bike starts. I added connectors where I cut the wires so I can always go back to stock.

Here's the question - why is the diode needed? The neutral light and switch work perfectly with the diode bypassed. And why is the green wire from the sidestand connected to it?

I guess you all already know the wiring diagram but here's the one I've been using - http://bbburma.net/Scans/Haynes_WiringDiagram_US_90-96.jpg

I read this thread that was helpful but didn't give a definite answer.

Thanks!

Its a fly-back diode.

When you let go of the starter button and the field in the solenoid collapses there will be a back EMF generated. The diode stops this surge/pulse entering the bikes electrical system if the stand switch is closed at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flyback_diode

-

Does anyone happen to know how to go about removing the sidestand relay? Is it in the "ON" position when the bike's running so can I just solder the wires together? I'm asking because I have removed the faulty sidestand switch and the relay shouldn't be needed anymore.

I also have some trouble getting the neutral indicator on my replacement speedo to work (the turn signal, high beam and background light all work perfectly). It's an aftermarket one I got from eBay and has LED turn signal/neutral/high beam indicators and a common ground. I know that the stock gauges have one end of the neutral indicator bulb connected to orange (hot with the ignition on) and the blue/black wire connects to ground when in neutral thus completing the circuit and ligting up the bulb.
But here's the problem - the new speedo has a common ground for the indicators and only a "hot" wire for neutral. Is there a way to make it work?


--- edit ---

Got the neutral indicator to work. I had to disassemble the speedo, remove the old neutral LED and solder in a new one that grounds through the neutral switch cable.