2 questions

[Zorba]

1  Bike will not start in gear anymore, isn't there a "Sensor" for lack of better word under the "clutch lever", it still starts in nuetral just fine?

2 didn't some one here say how you can change front fork seals without taking off the forks?

thanks

[Dogg]

mine never started in gear. I don't know why you d want it to. switch on gearshift cam and clutch lever and kickstand.

forks are inverted. you prolly could.

[RP#62]

It should start in gear with the clutch in.  If it doesn't, the clutch switch is bad.  If you take it off, you can see the points through a little window. If you clean them with some fine sandpaper (400 grit), it will work fine.

Regarding the forks, I haven't tried it with the forks on, but I've done it with them off and after reading through the procedure, I think it would be easier with them off.
-RP

[RTaz]

...most likely the clutch lever bushing is worn out...mine did that also...I change the lever and it works great now...the bad thing is Honda doesn't just sell the bushing you have to buy the whole lever...but I heard that Suzuki sells the correct bushing....when the bushing wears down the lever will not make the switch....


...sorry don't know about the fork seals...I think you need to pull the forks ...if for nothing else but to be sure you get all the oil out ...I would hate to do a job like fork seals only to over fill with oil and have to do it all over again....but then again thats me...

[Grandpot]

There is a switch on the side stand that shuts off the engine if the side stand is down and the bike is in gear.  You may have the side stand up, but is the switch working correctly?

[Disco]

Here is how Dag rebuilt his forks without taking them off.  http://www.valkyrienorway.com/forksprings.html 

[VALKMAN]

If you go to bike bandit you can order all the parts individually. I would recommend a new lever, a bushing and the hardware. I just ordered the bushing and found out that the hole in the lever was out too. Once I replaced all of that, the bike started by clutch. This is really easy to take off, so just take yours off and look at all of the pieces first.

[John Schmidt]

I wouldn't think it's the bushing. Still possible however. Another thing to consider...have you recently installed new grips other than OEM? And, are they somewhat thicker than OEM, if so that will keep you from pulling the clutch handle in far enough to activate the switch. You should be able to put your ear down next to the handlebar and actually hear the switch click when pulling in the lever. If it does click, then it's most likely a bad switch or you've accidentally pulled off one of the wires in back...I did it once while cleaning the bike.

I'm with Dogg on this however, I installed HD controls on my Valk and it doesn't have the clutch switch and I don't miss it. When I stop to consider how many years I've been riding(well over 50), most of those bikes never had a clutch switch so not having one isn't really a problem for me.

[Rocketman]

There is a switch on the side stand that shuts off the engine if the side stand is down and the bike is in gear.  You may have the side stand up, but is the switch working correctly?

If it shuts down immediately when you put it in gear, with the sidestand up, then the sidestand switch is bad.  If it keeps running when you put it in gear, then it's the clutch switch.

[fudgie]

mine never started in gear. I don't know why you d want it to. switch on gearshift cam and clutch lever and kickstand.

forks are inverted. you prolly could.

I've killed mine at a light a few times and its better then trying to find neutral in a hurry. Maybe that is what he's thinking.

[Rattlebars]

You can replace seals without removing the forks, but dropping the inverted forks is relatively easy to do.  Make a split fork seal tool and use the lower fork as a slip hammer to pop out the old and install the new seals.



To measure your fluid level, make a "gauge" with a mity vac.  Just move the top "T" to the right depth from the tip and make sure the tip is in the center of the tube if you have them on the bike. Toward the back, to little oil.  Toward the front, to much oil.  CENTER - just right.

[Zorba]

Thanks for all the quick answers!
Pete