Will only start in neutral

[gregc]

    Stalled today on a gravel parking lot. Bike would not restart in 1st gear with the clutch in and side stand up.  Only way it would crank over is in neutral, side stand up. Didn't  matter if clutch was in or out. Am I correct in thinking the safety switch on the clutch lever has failed?  If bike is running in gear with the clutch handle in, and I put side stand down it turns off. To me says side stand switch is working.  Thanks for the help.

[gordonv]

Would agree.

Check your clutch lever, pull it in, and listen for the micro switch to click.

The pivot pin bushing could be worn.

[gregc]

   I can hear the click, about 1/4 inch before the lever hits the grip. Still won't crank, is there a maintenance for that switch?  Looks like it comes right out with 1 Phillips screw, I could just check it for continuity.

[BradValk48237]

They do go bad.... Mine did... they are not expensive... Order it now, and if that doesn't fix it.. consider it preventative maint.... LOL

Brad

[Valker]

Could also be the brass bushing in the lever itself.

[mellowyellow#7933]

Mine did the same thing. Took it off, cleaned it up, working well.

[longrider]

An easy way to check if it is the clutch switch is to remove the two connectors and run a jumper wire across them.  The bike should start in gear.  If not it is your side stand switch

[gregc]

 I tested what I thought was the side stand switch . With it running ,clutch lever in, and in gear, I put the side stand down, motor shuts off.  Side stand back up, clutch lever still in, won't restart.
I will go pull the leads off the switch and jumper them together, see if it will start in gear.
   Thanks Again.

[Ricky-D]

An easy way to check if it is the clutch switch is to remove the two connectors and run a jumper wire across them.  The bike should start in gear.  If not it is your side stand switch

So the assumption you make is that it is a no (normally open) switch.

***

[dinosnake]

I tested what I thought was the side stand switch . With it running ,clutch lever in, and in gear, I put the side stand down, motor shuts off.  Side stand back up, clutch lever still in, won't restart.
I will go pull the leads off the switch and jumper them together, see if it will start in gear.
   Thanks Again.

It's the side stand switch, it's sticking from gunk buildup.  It's a plunger switch and needs to be either cleaned or replaced.  Try cleaning first.

[Willow]

I tested what I thought was the side stand switch . With it running ,clutch lever in, and in gear, I put the side stand down, motor shuts off.  Side stand back up, clutch lever still in, won't restart.
I will go pull the leads off the switch and jumper them together, see if it will start in gear.
   Thanks Again.

I'm not sure exactly what you're doing or expecting, but the engine should shut off anytime the bike is in gear and the sidestand is put down.  The bike should start with the sidestand up and the clutch disengaged if you are in gear. 

It's not unusual to have some issue with the clutch switch.  It is very unusual to have a problem with the sidestand switch.

[dinosnake]

I'm not sure exactly what you're doing or expecting, but the engine should shut off anytime the bike is in gear and the sidestand is put down.  The bike should start with the sidestand up and the clutch disengaged if you are in gear. 

It's not unusual to have some issue with the clutch switch.  It is very unusual to have a problem with the sidestand switch.

That would be unusual.  For most bikes it is the sidestand switch that gives problems first, way before any clutch switch.  Not saying it certainly couldn't happen the inverse, but for the vast majority of these issues it's the sidestand switch that is causing it.

The sidestand switch is a plunger and set low on the bike, it often gets gummed up with road grime and any fluid drippings from the bike.  It is a known failure point on a lot of bikes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sidestand+switch+failure

[gregc]

  Willow, that was my problem, it wouldn't start in gear with the clutch lever pulled in.  You had to shift into neutral for it to crank.
Took the clutch lever switch off the bike, inside a little hole is a set of points. They were green with some kind of mung, along with the inside pivot for the clutch lever.  While it was off I jumped the 2 wires together, cranks fine.  So I found an old points file and cleaned the points in the switch, then cleaned the switch with contact cleaner. Reinstalled and it cranks fine when the lever is pulled in.   Going to order a new switch just in case, it is only 15 bucks.  Thanks again for the help.

[Novavalker]

I had the same problem. Turned out the clutch lever micro switch was worn out.

[Willow]

I'm not sure exactly what you're doing or expecting, but the engine should shut off anytime the bike is in gear and the sidestand is put down.  The bike should start with the sidestand up and the clutch disengaged if you are in gear. 

It's not unusual to have some issue with the clutch switch.  It is very unusual to have a problem with the sidestand switch.

That would be unusual.  For most bikes it is the sidestand switch that gives problems first, way before any clutch switch.  Not saying it certainly couldn't happen the inverse, but for the vast majority of these issues it's the sidestand switch that is causing it.

The sidestand switch is a plunger and set low on the bike, it often gets gummed up with road grime and any fluid drippings from the bike.  It is a known failure point on a lot of bikes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sidestand+switch+failure

I haven't done enough research, nor care to, to speak for what happens with "most bikes".  What I said is accurate.  Failure of the clutch switch mechanism on a Valkyrie is fairly common.  Failure of the sidestand switch is very, very rare.  I guess if that confuses anyone I should clarify that the clutch switch failure on the Valkyrie is most commonly not the switch itself, but the worn part that activates the switch.

[fudgie]

Mine does the same but if I let the clutch out and grab it again and pull it in further it will start. Im guessing the brass bushing for mine?  ??? Done it for a few yrs.