Side Stand switch

[Bone]

My Valk is a 98 Tourer with 82k miles.  She's resting on the lift for awhile winters here are cold. About 2 weeks before I ended my season the side stand warning light started working but it doesn't go off when I raise the stand. Is there any service I can do to turn the light off ?
I don't want the light can it be disconnected with out causing other problems ? If yes how is that done I'm guessing I can't just unplug the connector.

[Daniel Meyer]

Sounds like you need to replace the side-stand switch at the stand. It controls the light, but could still work okay on letting you run in gear as I recall, the "up" for run switch is separate from the "down" put on light internals.

I don't recommend removing the switch functionality. Side stands down while riding can kill.

[Bone]

Thanks Daniel. I will replace the switch I don't want some one else getting hurt. Rarely does any body ride my bikes but that is when the side stand would become a hazard.

[Chrisj CMA]

That switch is located at one of the Valks dirtiest locations.......crud seems to like that spot.  Maybe a good cleaning and spray with contact cleaner or WD-40 will get it back working like new again

[Bone]

The bike is in an unheated garage. I will bundle up and pull the side stand. I planned on cleaning everything under the bike it's on a lift. Funny how that little red light gets my attention.

[Daniel Meyer]

Thanks Daniel. I will replace the switch I don't want some one else getting hurt. Rarely does any body ride my bikes but that is when the side stand would become a hazard.

I don't take off with my stand down either...but I know of at least 1 valk totaled (rider with injuries) because the stand came down in flight (spring pin broke) and the switch was bypassed.

It came down, he eventually turned left, and "bang" valk is down. Had the switch been there it would have cut the machine off (not an elegent solution either but better than not knowing at all).

[Baloo]

Before I bought my Valk, I used to own an old Gold Wing. There was no safety switch of any kind on the side stand. No engine kill swith, no light, nothing. I forgot the side stand down at least 4 times. The last time, I left and turned right, so no problem, stand was up in the air. Then, there was a sharp left turn... That's when I realized that the side stand was down, when I heard it rub on the pavement. Could not lean the bike to the left. Tried to stop, not enough time and distance left. I hit the railing with the RH engine guard. Lucky, no damage other than a small scratch on the engine guard.

When I traded the Wing for my Valk, I had started to look to install a switch and a warning light on the side stand to prevent this from happening again. Don't cancel the switch... I could really save your life!

[Bone]

Thanks guys it works

I think I posted here to find an easy way to by-pass the light.  I am a safety minded person. I took the assembly apart thinking a good cleaning wouldn't hurt it is 12 years old. Didn't look that dirty. Cleaned each surface and put it back together. Key on and that bright amber light goes on and off with the side stand.

[RP#62]

Does it kill the engine if you put the side stand down while running in gear with the clutch in?
-RP

[Bone]

I wondered the same thing. I don't want to start it for a minute or two. It's officially in storage for now. I have a small pad next to the bike, things I did or want to check when started. My memory can not be trusted. I will post back with news, good or bad.

[fudgie]

I have mine removed about 2 yrs now One less thing to go wrong I guess. Cant recall ever leaving it down and taking off. I doubt the spring would break while in the up position since very little tension is on it. I may wire it back up this spring if I can figure out how it goes back together.

[Bone]

fudgie I was going to bypass the light rather than find the problem. Reading the warning posts reminded me of why I have a Valk. My last bike was totaled (no passenger), the police radar said I was going 31 mph at impact. The injuries I suffered will be with me the rest of my life.
I rode 2 weeks with the warning light glaring at me and could look down and see the side stand was up. If the side stand was to go down the moment I looked where I was going it could result in serious problems.
31 mph you'd think you could walk away I rode in a Life Flight.

[Colin]

Some countries require the side stand switch for this very reason, here in Spain it is part of the bi-annual vehicle inspection. Maybe some of your states have similar regulations so it may be worth checking before removing something safety related like this. Also some insurance companies may use it as an excuse to wriggle if you have an accident with it having been removed.

[Bone]

RP#62 I'm back. Couldn't wait any longer I fired her up today. My storage prep was good 3 turns and she purred.

Answer to your question is yes it died when the stand was put down. I like happy endings.

[RP#62]

Thanks for following up.  The side stand switch is single pole, double throw switch.  One side provides a ground to turn the warning light on and the other side provides a ground to the ICM.  Sounds like you were getting a ground where you didn't need it on the side feeding the light.
-RP

[Bone]

Thank you I'm not very good at the electrics.
Just got on line after 3 days no electricity, I couldn't help with that either