Bike Only Starts in Neutral
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Bike Only Starts in Neutral
The title is the short synopsis.
2012 Heritage.
On Friday I rigged up a garage door opener to the high beam wire (white wire) to engage the opener when I hit the flash to pass toggle. I tied directly into the bulb plug and ran the wire under the gas tank on the right of the spine and back under the seat where I was able to put the opener and its 12 volt relay.
I used the right side because a few attempts at trying to snake a coat hanger along the left side kept resulting in my hitting something. I had removed the tank bolts and lifted it an inch or so, but didn't want to go throught the hassle of removing it completely. So I ran the wire on the right side instead.
I got it all hooked up and it worked like a charm; hit the flash to pass and the garage door responded. I then went to start the bike so I could go down the road a piece and see just how much range I had with the opener under the seat. I was in first, clutch in and the bike wouldn't even turn over. No clicks, whines, anything! When I put it in neutral, it cranked right up. Turned it off and tried again and again, it wouldn't do anything if it wasn't in neutral.
Could I have bumped something loose under the left side of the tank when I was trying to run the wire? I didn't try to force anything but I did bump something a couple times before giving up on that side. I placed the opener on top of the battery with the relay just in front of the battery.
Any thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks.
2012 Heritage.
On Friday I rigged up a garage door opener to the high beam wire (white wire) to engage the opener when I hit the flash to pass toggle. I tied directly into the bulb plug and ran the wire under the gas tank on the right of the spine and back under the seat where I was able to put the opener and its 12 volt relay.
I used the right side because a few attempts at trying to snake a coat hanger along the left side kept resulting in my hitting something. I had removed the tank bolts and lifted it an inch or so, but didn't want to go throught the hassle of removing it completely. So I ran the wire on the right side instead.
I got it all hooked up and it worked like a charm; hit the flash to pass and the garage door responded. I then went to start the bike so I could go down the road a piece and see just how much range I had with the opener under the seat. I was in first, clutch in and the bike wouldn't even turn over. No clicks, whines, anything! When I put it in neutral, it cranked right up. Turned it off and tried again and again, it wouldn't do anything if it wasn't in neutral.
Could I have bumped something loose under the left side of the tank when I was trying to run the wire? I didn't try to force anything but I did bump something a couple times before giving up on that side. I placed the opener on top of the battery with the relay just in front of the battery.
Any thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
I suspect that you have disturbed the clutch switch.
The starter will operate if in neutral OR the clutch is pulled in.
I avoid starting in gear with the clutch pulled in because it adds the drag of the clutch and transmission.
The starter will operate if in neutral OR the clutch is pulled in.
I avoid starting in gear with the clutch pulled in because it adds the drag of the clutch and transmission.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Clutch interlock safety switch. Its either bad or isn't making contact with the lever. Pull the clutch lever in and shine a light into the perch, behind the cable. That black rubber covered button is your culpret.
If the clutch lever doesn't push that button when you release it, there's your trouble. If it does, it needs to be trouble shot and may need to be replaced.
If the clutch lever doesn't push that button when you release it, there's your trouble. If it does, it needs to be trouble shot and may need to be replaced.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
The brake lever doesn't come into play with the starter motor interlocks.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 789
Likes: 4
From: Utah
My bike only starts in neutral too. I suspect it has to do with changing my clutch/brake levers and switch housings. Since it's not that much of an inconvenience, I have learned to live with it. I have too many other projects around the house/garage to fix something that still has a good work around.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: Fl
If it is the clutch switch that's odd, because I never touched the clutch lever...or came near it, for that matter, while I was hooking in the opener. I guess it could just be coincidence that it happened the first time I tried to start it afterwards.