Topic: Starting a '73 CB750

[Magpie]

There's a couple of wires coming from the clutch lever mount, is this wiring to prevent starting the motor while the clutch lever is out?  I have power and fuel to the motor but there is nothing happening when I hit the starter button. There's also nothing happening using the kick starter. The battery is fresh, the gas good quality. My '71 doesn't have this wiring so new to me.
Thanks,
Cliff.

[jwalters]

I don't believe so.  When I start my '72 750, I put the gear in neutral with the clutch out (that is, I do not have the clutch lever pulled in).

is this wiring to prevent starting the motor while the clutch lever is out? 

 Has the bike ran recently?  Can you hear the starter solenode clicking?  You may have to get a new starter solenoid or possibly rebuild the brushs on your starter.  As far as not starting with the kick starter, unfortunately, I am going to tell you what you probably already know... 
Check for fouled plugs, make sure they are gapped correctly and see if you have spark

If you havn't done so, pull of your carbs and give them a good cleaning.  I don't mean to insult your intelligence, I know this is a generic list of stuff to do, but its the best starting point.  That or, give us a bit of history of the bike and what you've done to it so far.

[Magpie]

No insult! I'm just trying to start a 750 I picked up cheap to see what the motor sounds like. It's been parked for a long time and needs a ton of work. I may have bitten off more than I can chew here! I'll work through the thing and see what happens. Thanks for your reply.
Cliff.

[jwalters]

Great, as mentioned, start off with a good carb cleaning, change the plugs (make sure you have spark) and see what happens.  You might be suprised!

Keep us posted on your progress.

[n9viw]

I know it seems silly, but check the kill switch- it might be in one of the two "OFF" positions.
The clutch switch is only engaged if the transmission is in gear. If it is in neutral, the clutch switch is not in the start circuit path, and has no effect.
Once you've got the engine rotating, pull a plug and ground it on the outside of the block with the boot on to see if you've got spark- don't mind the timing, just see if you're getting ANYTHING. Don't have to do all of them, just one from each coil will work. If they're good, put em back in.
Once you've got that much, pull the airbox boots and give each carb a 1-2 second shot of ether or some other flammable in a spray can, and try starting. If you've got even the merest suggestion of compression and fire, almost regardless of valve gap and spark timing, it should pop off on that for a couple seconds.
Once you've verified you've got fire, set the spark timing, valve gap, and clean the carbs. Also, if you haven't already, change the plugs. It may not look like it needs them, but a lot of headaches can be avoided if you just change them out now.
Good luck!