Topic: wires running into clutch lever?

[drackett_19]

Hey folks, while putting some clip on bars on my 1975 cb550, I noticed that the 2 green /with red stripe wires that run into the clutch lever had broken off. Anybody know what these wires are for?  I pulled the lever off and took out a small plastic piece with a spring operated button in it. It looked like the wires were sodered to two small copper plates, so I re-sodered them on there. I'm not exactly sure how to put the thing back together now?

For some reason my multi-meter says there is continuity between the two wires when they aren't touching? Is that normal?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

[Steve F]

It's a safety switch so the bike won't start in gear unless the clutch handle is pulled in.
EDIT: Check the starting system with the bike on the center stand and in gear, and the clutch lever released and see if the engine will crank.  If not, that's good.

[drackett_19]

That makes sense! thanks.

[scadaman29325]

Hey folks, while putting some clip on bars on my 1975 cb550, I noticed that the 2 green /with red stripe wires that run into the clutch lever had broken off. Anybody know what these wires are for?  I pulled the lever off and took out a small plastic piece with a spring operated button in it. It looked like the wires were sodered to two small copper plates, so I re-sodered them on there. I'm not exactly sure how to put the thing back together now?

For some reason my multi-meter says there is continuity between the two wires when they aren't touching? Is that normal?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Mine are that way, how did you get the switch out, looks like it could easily be un-repairably broken if you are not careful.

As for the continuity, try reversing the polarity on the MM, I got lost on the diagram (didn't try to hard), but they run thru a diode and the coil of the starter relay so you could most likely read some continuity but not a dead short until the switch is closed.

Later, Phil

[dusterdude]

they are there so you can wire up your msd launchmaster when you go dragracing.

[scondon]

 The little plastic, spring loaded piece has a small metal band at the tip. When the clutch lever is pulled, allowing the plastic tip to extend, the metal band makes contact to the two copper extensions allowing current to pass through the switch.