Sterter switch questions...

[PSUbag]

The wife and I were on a ride and stopped for a drink. I put the side stand down in 1st gear, as usual, to shut the bike off. (years ago the kill switch was getting finicky, so I just stopped using it) Came out and bike wouldn't fire. Headlight dimmed, but no crank. Double checked that the side stand was up, etc... I put it in neutral and nothing. Turned the key off and on and she fired right up. I thought after 27 years and 190,000 miles I'm finally going to have to clean the start switch. The next day I did. It started perfectly for a day or 2, now it HAS to be in neutral to start, and sometimes that doesn't work !st try.  Could it be anything other than the start button? Clutch switch? Side stand switch? Kill switch?

When I cleaned the switch I used 1000 grit sandpaper and lightly rubbed the contacts. Only 1 of the 6 looked slightly corroded.

1998 Standard

[Chrisj CMA]

If you didn’t unstick the brass contact from being lodged in it’s groove and insure it can bounce up and down on the spring. You only addressed half the issue

[WintrSol]

Sounds like more than one problem.
First, the headlight should turn off when the switch is pushed, unless a PO defeated that side of the switch

Second, is the side stand light on when it is down, and off when up? Also, check the clutch safety switch too, as it isn't needed in neutral but is in gear.

Not the best idea to use sandpaper on the switch either. Rubbing it on paper soaked with DeOxit doesn't damage the surface as much.

[PSUbag]

If you didn’t unstick the brass contact from being lodged in it’s groove and insure it can bounce up and down on the spring. You only addressed half the issue

I didn't know the 4 flat contacts were spring loaded. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

[PSUbag]

Sounds like more than one problem.
First, the headlight should turn off when the switch is pushed, unless a PO defeated that side of the switch

Second, is the side stand light on when it is down, and off when up? Also, check the clutch safety switch too, as it isn't needed in neutral but is in gear.

Not the best idea to use sandpaper on the switch either. Rubbing it on paper soaked with DeOxit doesn't damage the surface as much.

The headlight DOES go out when the button is pushed.

Side stand light is working.

Clutch switch is being pressed in, but I don't hear it clicking. Maybe a possibility. Thanks for the response.

[Willow]

The issue is not the starter.  It's the clutch switch.

The push rod at the lever wears.  If it is worn too much it needs to be replaced.  There are less expensive push rods for Suzukis.

I have one that is worn enough that I need to pull the lever in extra tightly to indicate the clutch is disengaged.

[Chrisj CMA]

If you didn’t unstick the brass contact from being lodged in it’s groove and insure it can bounce up and down on the spring. You only addressed half the issue

I didn't know the 4 flat contacts were spring loaded. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

Not those four oval contacts. The little brass thing with the two contacts. If it sticks down in its groove it looses contact with the four brass buttons