Topic: oops broken wires, what are they for?

[spaceboy412]

so today i was standing around my bike showing it to my father in law, when i put my hand by the clutch handle lever i touched two wires in a sheeth that are right by the clutch cable lever and they snapped right off, the signals, hi beam and signal noisemaker and horn all still work, the bike ran and the neutral light still functions, could someone please tell me what they are for? its a 1974 CB550

[Jonesy]

I think you're referring to the clutch safety switch that requires your clutch to be in if the bike is in gear when you go to start it. As long as you have it in neutral to fire it up you could get by without it, but it is considered a safety item so if vehicle inspections are required where you live you'll eventually want to replace it.

I might have an extra one... I'll look around.

[spaceboy412]

Thanks for the quick reply, i figured it was something like that, i always start in neutral so no biggie there, i live in chicago so i dont know of any inspections, I have an extra too but thanks anyway for offering.

[TwoTired]

Yep the clutch switch.  It's pretty handy if after the light turns green you kill the motor starting out.  You can then just pull in the clutch, push start B and you're back in business; zoom.    Otherwise, you have find neutral, before you can start it.

Let's say you lane split up to the light and are waiting between two cars.  Light changes and oops.  Cars in both lanes will zoom past you as close as they can while you fiddle with finding neutral, restart, reengage the gears and then try to merge in with moving traffic.

Yeah, I find the clutch switch quite a nice safety feature.

Cheers,

[Tim.]

Yep the clutch switch.  It's pretty handy if after the light turns green you kill the motor starting out.  You can then just pull in the clutch, push start B and you're back in business; zoom.    Otherwise, you have find neutral, before you can start it.

Let's say you lane split up to the light and are waiting between two cars.  Light changes and oops.  Cars in both lanes will zoom past you as close as they can while you fiddle with finding neutral, restart, reengage the gears and then try to merge in with moving traffic.

Yeah, I find the clutch switch quite a nice safety feature.

Cheers,

I find not lane splitting a nice safety feature 

[Einyodeler]

Most riders here in the States don`t know the practice of lane splitting and it is really frowned upon by law authorities whereas in Europe it is done all the time.On any given road that is goverened by traffic signals there is a pattern of traffic where you have a big group of vehicles leaving the lights when they turn green,when the light turns red there is very little traffic until the light turns green again.You only lane split when traffic is stopped at the signal lights is so you can get ahead of the mass of vehicles rather than being stuck in the middle of them.

[TwoTired]

tintin,
You should do what you feel safe doing.  Inexperienced riders probably should not lane split.  Certainly those that feel uncomfortable or incompetent doing so should not.  But, I've known several different riders, waiting, stopped in a normal cars position in traffic get rear ended by cars that failed to stop.  I don't wish to be presented as this type of target.  When I do wait in line with cars, you can bet my bike is pointed between cars for my "out" and I watch my mirrors for vehicles behind me.

I find it much safer to ride where cars are not moving in close poximity.  10-20 percent of the 40-80 parked cars passed in traffic ARE trying to kill you.  Some by intent, some by virtue of the fact that, although they are in the drivers seat, they are really just casual passengers occupying a part-time guided, lethal, weapon, more involved with; food, make-up, cell phone, newspaper, magazine, radio buttons/dials, and yes, TV.  (Yes, I've noticed ALL of that while lane splitting.)

The more cars I can eliminate as threats along my route, the greater my chances of survival.

Lane splitting safely does require skill, alertness, and even courtesy, the later of which is rarely seen on the streets.  (I do try to re-introduce these concepts when the opportunity presents.)

Can lane splitting be unsafe?  Absolutely, I see it done that way occasionally.  (I see far more of other, more dangerous, infractions.)  Is it inherently unsafe, no.  Further, it helps to reduce traffic congestion.