[[dsn_klr650] first bike...tall old guy]

[ElGlaude]

Yep, I did it, i bought a A13 last night with 3k on it...looks like brand new. I've already experienced the cold starting blues (It's around -15 C in Canada) so after i drained the battery dead, i had to boost it up, but anyway, that's a different story. I was wondering what's wrong with my clutch switch... I mean, usually, you have to pull the clutch in order for the bike to crank right? Well, in my case, i can start the bike without pulling the clutch...but, if the clutch is engage halfway, then, it doesn't crank at all...so, i have to let go the clutch completely, or pull it real hard, 'cause otherwise, it's not cranking. So, my question is, should i try to bypass the switch before it simply refuse to start, or is it normal? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mwbailey@att.net]

I too had trouble with the clutch safety switch. took it apart cleaned all the grease off the little slider contact now it works just fine.(starts in any gear with clutch in or neutral clutch in or out)

[Ted Palmer]

ElGlaude wrote: [...]

> I was wondering what's wrong with my clutch switch... I mean, > usually, you have to pull the clutch in order for the bike to > crank right?

No, as long as the bike is in neutral then it should crank with the clutch lever out. If the bike is in gear, then it should crank only with the clutch lever in. [..]

> So, my question is, should i try to bypass the switch before it simply refuse to start, or is it normal?

Just an adjustment of the clutch switch should be enough. The switch itself is pretty crude, you loosen the two screws that hold the switch onto the lever pivot and slide the switch until it works right. Cleaning and lubing the switch isn't a bad idea, unless you lose the little sliding contact thing. Mister_T

[slar676]

It was a nice weekend in Northern Ohio so I got out the new KLR that I recently purchased to roll past the 1 mile mark. Well it started fine in neutral but I stalled it starting out on the first uphill. I pulled the clutch into start it and it would not turn over. I then put it in neutral with the clutch in and it would not go. I then let the clutch out in neutral and it would then start. I took off the clutch switch from the handlebar and looked at it but did not see anything wrong with it. It has two sets of parallel copper bars, one of which is separated in the middle with a copper contact moving with the action of the clutch. Can someone tell me what is wrong and secondly how to short this switch should I have problems with it in some out of the way place.

[dale_johnson13]

http://www.dualsportnews.com/klr/safeswitch.html.

[Steve Anderson]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "slar676" wrote:

> It was a nice weekend in Northern Ohio so I got out the new KLR that > I recently purchased to roll past the 1 mile mark. Well it started > fine in neutral but I stalled it starting out on the first uphill. > I pulled the clutch into start it and it would not turn over. I > then put it in neutral with the clutch in and it would not go. I > then let the clutch out in neutral and it would then start. > > I took off the clutch switch from the handlebar and looked at it but > did not see anything wrong with it. It has two sets of parallel > copper bars, one of which is separated in the middle with a copper > contact moving with the action of the clutch. Can someone tell me > what is wrong and secondly how to short this switch should I have > problems with it in some out of the way place.

See: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/message/45348

[Chris Krok]

> From: "dsmeclipse" > Subject: Clutch/Start switch > > Ok, I can no longer start my bike with the clutch in. The ONLY way I > can start the bike is in neutral with the clutch out. > > I have read some of you bypass all the switches but I would like em > back and in working order.

If you really want to keep the functionality of the clutch switch, you might want to look into replacing it with a microswitch like the front brake lever has. I re-adjusted my stock clutch switch about five times in as many months before I finally got fed up with it and did the bypass. Krokko -- Dr. J. Christopher Krok John Lucas Adaptive Wind Tunnel Caltech MS 205-45, Pasadena, CA 91125

[David Manley]

I literally dropped my bike 2 days ago. The incline on the road was such that when the weight shifted to the down side my foot didn't touch the ground until the bike had gone too far to hold it up. I only felt stupid when someone came out of a house nearby to help me. I had hoped no-one had seen me! The damage was minor and cosmetic (mainly the hand guard is scratched) but the bike will no longer start with the clutch in. It starts normally with the clutch out in neutral but the starter motor will not work if the clutch is engaged. What have I damaged and how can I rectify the situation? Thanks, David

[a14@att.net]

Look at the clutch lever from the bottom where the wires attach. You will see screws if you loosen them it adjusts back and forth get it to the position where it works correct and tighten it up. You may have to do it a few times to get it right. Walt

> I literally dropped my bike 2 days ago. The incline on the road was such > that when the weight shifted to the down side my foot didn't touch the > ground until the bike had gone too far to hold it up. I only felt stupid > when someone came out of a house nearby to help me. I had hoped no-one had > seen me! > > The damage was minor and cosmetic (mainly the hand guard is scratched) but > the bike will no longer start with the clutch in. It starts normally with > the clutch out in neutral but the starter motor will not work if the clutch > is engaged. > > What have I damaged and how can I rectify the situation? > > Thanks, > > David > >

[kdxkawboy@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/10/2005 4:17:03 PM Pacific Standard Time, a14@... writes: Look at the clutch lever from the bottom where the wires attach. You will see screws if you loosen them it adjusts back and forth get it to the position where it works correct and tighten it up. You may have to do it a few times to get it right. Or better, take advantage of the opportunity and eliminate the clutch safety switch. Its in the FAQ. Pat G'ville, NV [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]