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Author Topic: Neutral Switch Nuances?  (Read 1121 times)

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Offline Fezzler

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Neutral Switch Nuances?
« on: September 18, 2021, 06:04:57 PM »
Hard to believe it has been two years since I restored my 1971 cb500 K0! (I have a 1975 cb550 scrambler project waiting on me in garage.)
I really enjoy riding the '71.  It runs really well.

One issue I had but never addressed was the neutral switch stays on in all gears.

So I took it apart today and cleaned both the static switch side and the rubber rotor part with the contact strip.  I put the rubber rotor back in made sure that the key or nub was aligned correctly.  I had the bike in neutral.  I turned the bike on and tested the clean/adjust job.  It was working as designed - on in neutral, off in 1, 2, 3, 4.

After reassembly of the sprocket cover etc., I started bike.  Yup. Neutral is back on all the time.

I am assuming something (thick alternator wiring?) is pressing against the neutral switch rubber rotor and preventing it from turning thus keeping the neutral contact constant?

Is that possible or are there other neutral switch nuances those with more experience can advise before I dive back in?

Fez
« Last Edit: September 18, 2021, 06:06:42 PM by Fezzler »
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1975 Honda CB550f in parts in progress
1978 Honda CB550 Four K4
1971 Honda CB500 Four K0
2008 105th Anniversary Edition HD Road King
(Sold) 1998 Honda Shadow ACE Deluxe VT750
1973 Schwinn Stingray (Blue Deluxe - RIP Jack and Rose)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Neutral Switch Nuances?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2021, 06:29:48 PM »
It's likely turning OK. I'd suspect that somewhere in that wiring, which is subject to debris flying off the drive chain, has a crack in the insulation somewhere in the engine area. I've seen that before!
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Offline Fezzler

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Re: Neutral Switch Nuances?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2021, 07:01:48 PM »
Quote from: HondaMan on September 18, 2021, 06:29:48 PM
It's likely turning OK. I'd suspect that somewhere in that wiring, which is subject to debris flying off the drive chain, has a crack in the insulation somewhere in the engine area. I've seen that before!

Thanks.  And the squeeze of closing everything up is making it short?  Hmm.  I'll check.

I hope you are well.
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1975 Honda CB550f in parts in progress
1978 Honda CB550 Four K4
1971 Honda CB500 Four K0
2008 105th Anniversary Edition HD Road King
(Sold) 1998 Honda Shadow ACE Deluxe VT750
1973 Schwinn Stingray (Blue Deluxe - RIP Jack and Rose)

Online newday777

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Re: Neutral Switch Nuances?
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2021, 12:24:14 AM »
Quote from: Fezzler on September 18, 2021, 07:01:48 PM
Quote from: HondaMan on September 18, 2021, 06:29:48 PM
It's likely turning OK. I'd suspect that somewhere in that wiring, which is subject to debris flying off the drive chain, has a crack in the insulation somewhere in the engine area. I've seen that before!

Thanks.  And the squeeze of closing everything up is making it short?  Hmm.  I'll check.

I hope you are well.

Yes you have a short in the wire somewhere. The neutral switch is a ground path. The short in the wire completes the grounding path. Yes you'll have to find the break in the wire insulation and repair it with heatshrink.
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Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 1 K2, 4 K6, 1 K8, 1 F1, 1 F3
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline bryanj

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Re: Neutral Switch Nuances?
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2021, 02:41:20 AM »
Most common is wire trapped between casings when fitting sprockets cover, repaired lots back then
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Offline Fezzler

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Re: Neutral Switch Nuances?
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2021, 05:13:36 PM »
Thanks all.  I've been assuming it is the rotor unit but makes complete sense.  I shall return with a report of a positive outcome.
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1975 Honda CB550f in parts in progress
1978 Honda CB550 Four K4
1971 Honda CB500 Four K0
2008 105th Anniversary Edition HD Road King
(Sold) 1998 Honda Shadow ACE Deluxe VT750
1973 Schwinn Stingray (Blue Deluxe - RIP Jack and Rose)
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