Intermittent no start in gear.

Kyle_E

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Weird intermittent problem has happened last two days. Starts in garage fine (neutral). Ride to store near work approximately 45 mins away. Come out of the store, having left the bike in gear and it will not start.

Yesterday, no start. I double checked my kickstand was all the way up, and I let go of the clutch and pulled it back in, fired right up. Chalked it up to random not pulling clutch all the way or kickstand. When I got to work fired up 4 out of 5 times no problem, one I had to double pump the clutch.

Tonight. Stopped to get gas 30 mins into the ride, did not get off bike or put stand down. Started no problem. Rode another 30 mins stopped at store, came out. No start. Tried stand, tired clutch twice each. Put it into neutral, starts right up, put in gear still runs (with clutch pulled in).....Get to work 3 out of 5 times no start in gear. Same thing, put in N start, drop into gear, still keeps running.



Going to shotgun a clutch switch at it, but just thought I would ask if there is anything else I should check before I make an order for parts and pay shipping?
 

offcamber

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Start by bypassing the clutch switch...if that works then you can either replace it or bypass it. Next would be the side stand switch. My guess is its one of those two. Probably just dirty contacts.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
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I agree with offcamber partly, start by bypassing the clutch switch to see if that cures it, if so, CLEAN the clutch switch first and see if the problem goes away before you replace it. I don't remember what year your bike is, so if you have a Gen II with cruise control, see if that is working ok too. It should disengage the CC when you pull in the clutch lever.
 

Kyle_E

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Start by bypassing the clutch switch...if that works then you can either replace it or bypass it. Next would be the side stand switch. My guess is its one of those two. Probably just dirty contacts.
You can stick a blade fuse into the clutch switch to defeat it. Either to diagnose the problem or just to cure it.
Thanks for that. Did not know it was by passable.

I agree with offcamber partly, start by bypassing the clutch switch to see if that cures it, if so, CLEAN the clutch switch first and see if the problem goes away before you replace it. I don't remember what year your bike is, so if you have a Gen II with cruise control, see if that is working ok too. It should disengage the CC when you pull in the clutch lever.
2013 so no CC. Will try the bypass and clean today or tomorrow.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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Jun 20, 2015
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My bike has enough clutch drag that it's difficult to start in gear, it just seems to crank too slow to get a good quick start. It's better with a new battery but it still starts a lot better in neutral. This is with the engine warm after I've shut it off for a few minutes or accidentally stalled it. I've never tried starting it in gear cold. I think that would be a lot harder still.
 

Kyle_E

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Got a quick min to rip it out. Its already been replaced once apparently. Screw head was a bit buggered and the mold stamp was over a year after my bike was made. Seems a bit slow on the release. Hit it with some electrical cleaner and we shall see if it continues. Also tossed a jump wire in my jacket to test that once at work tonight.
 

Kyle_E

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After cleaning the switch and electrical connections no problems for the past two days. Think ill still toss a new one into my next order from partsfish. The spring just doesn't feel like it's long for this world.

Thanks everyone for the help.
 
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