Topic: Clutch Safety Switch Help

[tinyrobot]

Today my girlfriend was rinding my bike (CB750 k8) and she called saying she was having trouble.  When I get there she explains that every time she grabs the clutch to get into first the bike dies. 

So I put the key in to on, starter switch to run.  Head light, neutral light and oil light all turn on.  I press the start button and it starts. After a proper warm up I pull the clutch lever and sure enough it dies instantly.  The battery is pretty new and I just had it on the charger a few days ago.  I did have the ignition apart the other day because the bottom have came unclipped but I just aligned it back up and taped it in place.  I rode all day yesterday with no problems.

The bike was running very well up until this afternoon.  She rode it to work and practically all the way home with out trouble.  It died one time on her at a light but she just started it right back up and on her way.    I have read a few clutch safety switch topics and still am lost.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

[tinyrobot]

morning bump, I'd like to try and fix this today so any help would be awesome

Thanks guys!!

[rhinoracer]

I'll take a shot at it. Some bikes (not sure if yours) have a sidestand safety switch that cuts power if taken out of neutral while the sidestand is down.

Sometimes this switch sticks causing the problem you described. If yours has this switch (should be near the sidestand bolt) try wiggling or cleaning or spraying some contact cleaner to is.

Good luck.

[tinyrobot]

Thanks, but I don't think it does.  I have ridden off a few feet with it down before 

The motor dies with the slightest pressure on the clutch lever, hence why I believe it to be the switch.

[bryanj]

The clutch safety switch has nothing to do with the engine running it simlpy cuts out the starter circuit unless EITHER the neutral light is on OR the clutch lever is pulled.

The only possibility is that your battery is marginal and there is a short when the switch is pulled.

Follow the wires into the wiring box/headlamp shell and disconnnect them---this means the bike will have to be in neutral, with the green light on, to satrt

[tinyrobot]

The clutch safety switch has nothing to do with the engine running it simlpy cuts out the starter circuit unless EITHER the neutral light is on OR the clutch lever is pulled.

The only possibility is that your battery is marginal and there is a short when the switch is pulled.

Follow the wires into the wiring box/headlamp shell and disconnnect them---this means the bike will have to be in neutral, with the green light on, to satrt

Thanks, I will try this today after work!

[scondon]

  Also, check your clutch cable routing. If it is resting near your taped up ignition it is possible that the cable is flexing and bumping a loose connection.

[tinyrobot]

Yesterday, I opened up the headlamp and checked out the wires.  Unplugging them produced the same results.  I plugged them back in and then followed their paths elsewhere along the line.  I unplugged and replugged everything inline with them.  Each time I would try and start the bike so I could eliminate the previous possibility. 

Finally I check the cable routing since I had replaced cable a few weeks ago as well.  The cable was putting slight pressure on the bottom of the ignition actually the white plastic wire harness.  I them just pressed on the ignition and jiggled around the cable a little and viola!! 

I don't know what was wrong, but it has now been ridden a few hours around Chicago without error.  I think I will just replace the ignition and call it done. 

[rhinoracer]

Don't ever let your girlfriend know you routed the clutch cable incorrectly.

[nteek754]

Hey all ,Yup been there done that. I bought a 77 750  just for a re sell didnt want to hurt my 73 Ks feelings and she is my baby So I put differant handle bars on and it made the cable a bit tight  surely turning to the left and sure enough after a few mysterious cut outs and dies (turning into gas station) I finally found the cable right against the bottom of that damn switch it actually ended up breaking the plastic connector but had another switch in my inventory so  R&R and bingo. IM sure you found the culprit lots of luck Craig in Maine

[tinyrobot]

Thanks for the help guys, but I don't think I'm out of the woods just yet.  Sunday I was out on the bike enjoying a few LSD runs.  I think I saw Proteal's 550 out there blasting through the cold wind.

Anyway, just as I got back to the neighborhood (My friend was riding my bike at this time and I was on his)  and it died in a right turn.  Then gave me trouble as I tried it around the block a few times.  Maybe it's the kill switch but I'm still thinking the ignition?