Topic: G/R wire from starter magnetic switch?

[denward17]

1976 CB550K

I noticed this wire coming from the starter solenoid (magnetic switch) has a bolt lug and when I got the bike it appeared to be connected to ground.

Looking at the wiring diagram for a '76 it doesn't show up as going to ground.  It shows as going to the clutch switch, also attached to a diode.  I added the diode to the bike, it did not have one.

I'm confused about what to do with this wire.

[denward17]

Apparently this was used to bypass the clutch switch as the diode was cutoff and this G/R wire was re-routed to ground.

On the back of the electric service panel I found a G/R wire connection just hanging loose, so I disconnected the G/R wire to ground (that goes to starter solenoid) and plugged into the loose wire that goes to the wiring harness.

Now, when I try to start, by pushing the start button, headlight goes out, but the started does not turnover the engine.

[grcamna2]

following

[denward17]

I re-connected things back like they were, with the G/R wire going to ground, now engine will turnover with the start button.

Looked at the switch inside the clutch handle housing, and it appears to be stuck, I can't depress it, so appears it is stuck.  This is part of the problem I'm sure.

[newday777]

On my K6 750, the Gr/R and LtGr/R go to the diode.

[bryanj]

With the grnred wires connected it will only start with either clutch lever pulled in or neutral light on, if it wont then its not the switch but the diode wiring or clutch switch wiring

[HondaMan]

I often bypass it all so you don't have to have it in Neutral and/or the clutch lever pulled in to start. I've LONG considered that to be a dangerous mod, forced on Honda by the US DOT in 1973 (and ONLY on Honda at the time). On a hot day, when the carbs are boiling in city traffic and you start to pull across a crowded 6-way intersection at rush-hour and the carbs slosh and the engine stalls - which is a REAL situation at Denver's altitude, not a made-up DOT imaginary scenario - I want the START to be INSTANT when I re-hit the START button. I don't want to pull the clutch, nor try to find Neutral in 6 lanes of cross-traffic.

[temporary] end of rant... 

[dave500]

yeah id bypass all that crap,if you start in gear why didnt you check first?or ride away with the side stand down.

[calj737]

Not forcing the bike to be in NEU or clutch pulled when you hit electric start is in my opinion, a foolish thing. Bump the starter with the bike in gear and the bike lurches forward immediately. Not SAFE! You'll do more damage and potential harm to folks standing around whilst you work on the bike, or worse, find yourself picking the bike up of the asphalt. Yes, a good rider always checks to see if it's in NEU, but accidents happen and potential glare from the sun can deceive even the most human of us.

Your choice in the end.

[denward17]

I do plan on fixing this, just troubleshooting other things at the moment.

Before I get it registered I have to take it to DMV to get it inspected, not sure if they look for things like this or not, but I want the safety features working correctly before I take it.

[denward17]

Unable to do much troubleshooting as I am waiting on a battery.

But did run some continuity tests today to see if clutch switch is working.  I think it is.

From head light bucket I have continuity from G/R wire to electrical panel, so hooked things back up like I think they are supposed to be.

Feel like the neutral switch is working because when the battery did have power, and I turned the ignition switch on, the green lamp would be on, and go off when I put it in gear.

I re-connected the clutch switch inside the headlight bucket and proceeded to test.

At the starter solenoid the G/R wire had continuity with  (lever pulled in, clutch disengaged); no continuity with the lever out (clutch engaged).

Then I checked the G/R wire at the diode; (G/R wire on the negative terminal of diode); lever pulled in (disengaged clutch) I had continuity.  When lever was out (clutch engaged) I did not have continuity.

Does this sound right?
Does the clutch lever always have to be pulled in (clutch disengaged) before start button works regardless if in neutral or not?

[newday777]

When in neutral the clutch can be out to start.

[HondaMan]

yeah id bypass all that crap,if you start in gear why didnt you check first?or ride away with the side stand down.

Exactly: no one seems to find nor remember this, but the 1st month or so of CB750K3 production bikes had a sidestand switch. It had to be up to start. I only ever saw one of them that I remember: it had a long spring that attached onto the hook where the sidestand spring meets the kickstand. Back then the Honda rep told us to 'remove them if found', but never told anyone 'why'. These bikes also have/had the "safety module" under the left side cover, later replaced with a single diode OR gate that ties together the clutch switch and the Neutral switch for enabling Start.

[dave500]

same as my riding mower,I by passed the seat safety and mow in reverse override switch.

[Deltarider]

[...] Back then the Honda rep told us to 'remove them if found', but never told anyone 'why'. [...]

Maybe it contained mercury like the aftermarket one, I had for a wile. Pretty soon mine became useless, when it had leaked its mercury into nature...