2014 Softail classic will not start in gear
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 17
From: kansas
2014 Softail classic will not start in gear
My 14 ST will not start in gear with the clutch depressed. I thouth it was the fob. Changed the batt. Set the pin code which was 12345. so that is good. I also found that when I put it in N it started fine. Then I remembered I put on leather clutch and brake covers a week ago last time I had ridden it. The leather plus the lacing must be enough to not press in the safety button. Anyway to remedy this?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 17
From: kansas
Missing what? The bike is designed to be started in gear with the clutch lever depressed. When I installed the leather covers it would not quite hit the safety button. Now with the extension it works. I can start the bike in gear with the clutch liver in. If you stall it in traffic you don't want to sit there and try to find N just pull in the clutch and start it.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 17
From: kansas
The plastic disc worked but came off. So I did a permanent fix. I took off the clutch lever and drilled a small hole where the flat part touches the tip of the button. I JB welded a stainless screw I cut down and filed off into the hole. Let it set over night and it seems to work well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,139
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From: San Diego, CA
I believe he was alluding to the opinion that the bike shouldn't be started in gear, because it causes more stress to primary components....
While I agree with that opinion, and always start my bike in neutral, he must have forgotten you need to have the ability to start in gear with the clutch depressed.
Many won't admit to it, but there is the rare (but always possible) stall out in the middle of traffic. Better to pull in the clutch and fire it up, than to take the time to put it in neutral, with impatient cages behind you...
Glad you got it working......
But just a big FWIW....
I always modify any cosmetic addition to my bikes, rather than a mechanical system, when there's a conflict. That way, the mechanics of a bike are not changed from the way they were designed and will work properly if/when the cosmetic piece is removed. I would have modified the leather covers so they wouldn't have affected the safety switch.
I can only speak for myself, but there are many knowledgeable HD owners out there. If I was looking to buy a used bike and saw the way you jury-rigged that safety switch, I'd run away from that bike....... JMHO...
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