Starting in gear

[fudgie]

There was a post awhile ago about starting in gear. Cant find it and pc is to slow to search. Anyway I tried it today. In gear, clutch pulled in, wont restart. Have to go to neutral. I think it has been doing this for years if I remember right. Where do I begin? Doesnt bother me but if its a easy fix i'll fix it. Clutch does click when pulled.

[Flameout 86]

My '97 tourer started doing that.  At first it would start with the lever pulled almost all the way in and then ALL the way in, and then wouldn't start even in that position.  I would look at the switch on the clutch lever first.

Tom

[sandy]

Silly Question on my part: Is your kickstand up? Won't start in gear with stand down.

[Wildman]

You need to check the switch that is on the clutch lever same position realtive to the lever as the hand brake light switch.
Connect the two wires and see if that works.
If it does the switch is gone.
If you have a meter check the switch for resisitance with the clutch in and out.

I have trouble with my brake light switches all the time.
I have only changed out the clutch switch once so far.

[John Schmidt]

Look closely at the handlebar controls and you'll see why. I installed HD controls about three years ago, which caused me to lose the clutch switch and the choke located on the handlebar. I can install a hydraulic pressure switch that operates like a brake light switch, just mount it in the clutch line down on top of the engine. But, that takes more ambition than I really have just now. 
As for the choke, the second picture shows the "in process" of relocating it. The last one shows it operational. With a nylock nut on the pivot bolt, you can snug it up just enough so it will move but is tight enough so it holds whatever setting you put it on. In Florida, it doesn't get much use however. 

[fudgie]

Silly Question on my part: Is your kickstand up? Won't start in gear with stand down.

My stand switched is bypassed. 

[MP]

With the switch clicking, that means it is being activated.  Sounds like a new switch may be in order.

MP

[Rocketman]

Wouldn't be the stand switch anyway, as if the stand switch had failed open, it would die as soon as it was put in gear.
As for the real issue:
I believe that the clutch lever has two switches.  One tells the electronics that the clutch is all the way out, and the other tells it that the clutch is all the way in.  Once upon a time I had worked out in my head why it cared about both, but can't figure it out right now. 
You could be hearing one click without the other.  The starter is looking for the "all the way in" switch.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on the two switch thought- as if I had to ask for that.  (:

[Cattman]

Could be the clutch bushing too?

[Madmike]

Wouldn't be the stand switch anyway, as if the stand switch had failed open, it would die as soon as it was put in gear.
As for the real issue:
I believe that the clutch lever has two switches.  One tells the electronics that the clutch is all the way out, and the other tells it that the clutch is all the way in.  Once upon a time I had worked out in my head why it cared about both, but can't figure it out right now.  
You could be hearing one click without the other.  The starter is looking for the "all the way in" switch.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on the two switch thought- as if I had to ask for that.  (:

single switch open or closed which translates into clutch lever in or out - see interlocks sheet of schematic

electrical schematic

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Pull the two wires off the switch and put a jumper wire in to the connections and see if it'll start in gear (be sure to pull clutch lever ) if it starts the switch is bad. I had the same problem with mine I pulled the switch and washed it out with contact cleaner and put it back on and it is still working. You can also test the switch with a meter by checking for continuity when switch is made.

[Ricky-D]

Fudgie, I am sure that I and a whole lot of others are in the same fix as you.

I checked the switch on the handle bars (lever) and it is working just fine (good contact).

Whenever i put the side stand down while in gear, the motor stops.

Just can't restart the motor when at a stoplight, and I stall, without first shifting back to neutral.

I sure would be interested in finding out what you devised as a cure, or if you have done anything at all.

Been able to live with it for a good long time now so I don't feel any unrelenting pressure to investigate really deep.

***

[Rocketman]

I believe that the clutch lever has two switches.  One tells the electronics that the clutch is all the way out, and the other tells it that the clutch is all the way in.  Once upon a time I had worked out in my head why it cared about both, but can't figure it out right now.  
You could be hearing one click without the other.  The starter is looking for the "all the way in" switch.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong on the two switch thought- as if I had to ask for that.  (:

single switch open or closed which translates into clutch lever in or out - see interlocks sheet of schematic

Hmmm.  Must have dreamed that dual switch setup.  Thanks for the correction.

[fudgie]

Fudgie, I am sure that I and a whole lot of others are in the same fix as you.

I checked the switch on the handle bars (lever) and it is working just fine (good contact).

Whenever i put the side stand down while in gear, the motor stops.

Just can't restart the motor when at a stoplight, and I stall, without first shifting back to neutral.

I sure would be interested in finding out what you devised as a cure, or if you have done anything at all.

Been able to live with it for a good long time now so I don't feel any unrelenting pressure to investigate really deep.

***

I'll let ya know what I decide this weekend. Gonna try all the advise from here except replacment.

[Farther]

Whenever i put the side stand down while in gear, the motor stops.

  Isn't that what it's supposed to do?

[fudgie]

Whenever i put the side stand down while in gear, the motor stops.

  Isn't that what it's supposed to do?

Yes. Unless its bypassed.

[Cattman]

Good luck finding the connection under the battery box to change out the sidestand switch. I worked 2 hours last Sat. and finally gave up and reattached the old switch. The manual shows it under the left side cover and mine appears to be under the battery box closer to the right side and the only way to access is to dismantle that area or come up from underneath and my hands are too big for that. ???

[Ricky-D]

Whenever i put the side stand down while in gear, the motor stops.

  Isn't that what it's supposed to do?

I mentioned that particularly so to remove any suspicion that the problem could be the side stand switch.

The side stand switch is working properly as well as the clutch lever switch which I tested with a continuity tester. (buzzer w/battery)

You might want to note the original premise for this thread Farther which was the lost ability to start the motor while in gear.

***

[fudgie]

Ok, I used a jumper wire between the connections and got it to start in gear. So my switch is bad. Undecided what to do about it yet.  ??? I gotta tear into the switch houseing to work on my signal switch (dont work well below 40 deg) anyway. 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Fudgie, you might try removing the switch,spraying some contact cleaner in the switch and play with it some to try and clean the contacts.Use a meter to see if the switch makes after cleaning. Also check the bushing in the clutch lever to be sure the lever is working the switch. Also this switch is used on alot of different bikes so dealer might have one in stock. If not HDL has them and price is not bad.

[fudgie]

Fudgie, you might try removing the switch,spraying some contact cleaner in the switch and play with it some to try and clean the contacts.Use a meter to see if the switch makes after cleaning. Also check the bushing in the clutch lever to be sure the lever is working the switch. Also this switch is used on alot of different bikes so dealer might have one in stock. If not HDL has them and price is not bad.

Ok, i'll try that. I have a new bushing but not sure how to get it out. Take the lever off and punch it thru?
I dont have a meter handy here but do at the other farm.
Thinking about doing away with it and hook the contacts together and leave it at that. But then if Kit goes out to start it and she notices its not in N and starts it anyway....well there goes the bike!