Neutral Safety Switch
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
Back in the late 60s and early 70s when I was learning to ride we never heard of such a thing, just always pulled in the clutch. No light on dirtbikes. I bet they have Netural Safety Switch now have to do with "Safety" and someone got sued! Like don't use the toaster while showering....some dumbass did it.
Stage II
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Im unable to start my bike while in gear with the clutch engaged anymore, i have to put it back into nuetral. ive never had to do this before, got any ideas on what might have disconnected??? i have a 2013 iron xl883n
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
Perhaps the switch in the clutch lever is no longer working?
(How would you start the bike in gear and the clutch engaged? You do realize the bike will move forward if it is possible? I'm not going to rag on ya, just want you to notice what you are saying. You probably meant 'while the clutch lever is depressed'? You disengage the clutch by pressing the lever.)
Last edited by Def Mute; Mar 13, 2013 at 11:50 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Back in the late 60s and early 70s when I was learning to ride we never heard of such a thing, just always pulled in the clutch. No light on dirtbikes. I bet they have Netural Safety Switch now have to do with "Safety" and someone got sued! Like don't use the toaster while showering....some dumbass did it.
Should probably put em in the pegs or boards also that will kill the engine if the bikes moving and the switches are not depressed.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I always leave my bike in neutral and never park on an incline so I don't need nor want any kind of neutral switch. It's pretty hard to miss that green light even if you are next to the bike.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
that's funny...the movement startled me and I immediately released the starter button. It was a few months ago, but I recall the scrape along the pavement as six inches or so.
My experience with metrics are that they are designed to not start if in gear. I assumed HD had this feature as well.
My experience with metrics are that they are designed to not start if in gear. I assumed HD had this feature as well.
So I am going to assume that you "bumped" the starter and not actually started the bike.
At idle, your bike will roll a few feet for every revolution of the engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
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Stage II
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Is this a typo? I sure hope it is...
Perhaps the switch in the clutch lever is no longer working?
(How would you start the bike in gear and the clutch engaged? You do realize the bike will move forward if it is possible? I'm not going to rag on ya, just want you to notice what you are saying. You probably meant 'while the clutch lever is depressed'? You disengage the clutch by pressing the lever.)
Perhaps the switch in the clutch lever is no longer working?
(How would you start the bike in gear and the clutch engaged? You do realize the bike will move forward if it is possible? I'm not going to rag on ya, just want you to notice what you are saying. You probably meant 'while the clutch lever is depressed'? You disengage the clutch by pressing the lever.)
yea i meant disengaged, my bad i was prolly typing to fast
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
madmike331...
I would start by checking the safety switch in the left handle bar switch housing. Have you by chance changed the clutch lever prior to having this problem? At any rate, that's where I would start...
For the rest of you guys...
madmike re-opened this thread. If yer not responding to him, yer responding to an older thread...
I would start by checking the safety switch in the left handle bar switch housing. Have you by chance changed the clutch lever prior to having this problem? At any rate, that's where I would start...
For the rest of you guys...
madmike re-opened this thread. If yer not responding to him, yer responding to an older thread...