How hard is it to replace the neutral switch

[Fritz The Cat]

Gotta do this. Been putting it off long enough. Any tip appreciated.

[YoungPUP]

Haven't done it on mine yet, just kinda dealing with it. Here's my earlier post for it.http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,28874.msg263694.html#msg263694

[gordonv]

Why? If I've heard right, mostly all it needs is to be adjusted properly, either the switch or the shifter.

I had my neutral switch out when I replaced the oil seal on the water pump of my GL1100. It just took a little time to make sure the bike was still in neutral, and that the switch was placed right without pinching the wires.

[Fritz The Cat]

The PO said it was bad and gave me a new one with the bike. The old one is bypassed and she will crank no matter what gear she's in, kickstand up or down clutch in or out. Gotta be careful and make sure she's in neutral when I park her in the garage. If I try to crank her in gear and I'm not on her, she fall down. 

[Jeff K]

It's not a bad job and most times the gasket is fine to reuse.
Just drain the water and oil and pull the front cover.


I'm not aware of any way to "adjust" anything to do with that switch. I has a roll pin in it that sits in a groove. Nothing to adjust.

[Ricky-D]

The PO said it was bad and gave me a new one with the bike. The old one is bypassed and she will crank no matter what gear she's in, kickstand up or down clutch in or out. Gotta be careful and make sure she's in neutral when I park her in the garage. If I try to crank her in gear and I'm not on her, she fall down. 

It sounds like there is a possibility, that may not be the problem.

The reason I say this is when the bike is in gear and the kick stand up, the bike should start with the clutch lever pulled in.

I'm thinking that this scenario takes the neutral switch out of the system.

Have you tested the neutral light itself to insure it is good.

It may be that one of the other safety switches is what's bad and the neutral light is simply burnt out.

***

[Fritz The Cat]

The PO said it was bad and gave me a new one with the bike. The old one is bypassed and she will crank no matter what gear she's in, kickstand up or down clutch in or out. Gotta be careful and make sure she's in neutral when I park her in the garage. If I try to crank her in gear and I'm not on her, she fall down. 

It sounds like there is a possibility, that may not be the problem.

The reason I say this is when the bike is in gear and the kick stand up, the bike should start with the clutch lever pulled in.

I'm thinking that this scenario takes the neutral switch out of the system.

Have you tested the neutral light itself to insure it is good.

It may be that one of the other safety switches is what's bad and the neutral light is simply burnt out.

***

Hmmm, actually, I haven't checked anything, just took the PO's word for it. Would bypassing the neutral switch render all the other safety switches irrelevant?

Also, is there an easy way to check the neutral light or do I have to take the headlight unit apart?

[Ricky-D]

Hmmm, actually, I haven't checked anything, just took the PO's word for it. Would bypassing the neutral switch render all the other safety switches irrelevant?

That I cannot answer but my feeling is no.

Also, is there an easy way to check the neutral light or do I have to take the headlight unit apart?

You don't say what you're riding but a headlight bucket is easy to open on the Standard and Tourer.

***

[RP#62]

Its easy enough to check,  There's a 4 pin red connector under the right side steering cover.  The light green wire with the red trace is the wire coming from the neutral switch. It should go to ground when in neutral and be open otherwise.
-RP