78 GL1000 wont turn over in gear

[Justmike]

I am reaching out for some help as I am stumped.
I have a 78 GL1000 K3. The bike starts and runs brilliantly and never misses a beat.
My problem is that if I were to stall at a junction I can not get the bike to start unless it is in neutral.
I have just fitted a new clutch lever switch with no difference. The starter button is sending out power because I have my headlight running through a relay and when I press the button I can hear the relay click to turn off the headlamp, also visually confirmed.
For some reason the starter solenoid is not activating when I press the button.
Any help with this would be very much appreciated.

Mike

[Rambozo]

The clutch switch and the neutral switch open the ground wire to the starter solenoid. Check the wiring to the clutch switch and verify that it is electrically working. If the lever bushings get worn out, it will often be too loose to work the switch. You can short the two wires to the clutch switch and see if it starts in gear. If it doesn't you have a wiring problem. If it does, you have a switch problem. Does the neutral light work properly? There is a diode that can go bad in that circuit, but that usually makes it so you always have to pull the clutch to start.

[Justmike]

Thanks for the reply Rambozo
I have been searching around for a solution and when I checked up on the silicone rectifiers I began to find answers.
What I found was some older posts on here that say similar to what you have said.
Neutral light works as it should as does everything else. The only problem I have is this issue with not starting in gear.
I have just sent off for 2 new diodes to see if they cure the problem.
As I mentioned the clutch switch is new and I got readings from the wires, but not what I consider normal readings. But that could be down to faulty diodes?
I probably won`t see the new diodes till middle of next week, but I will update on what happens when I fit them.

Mike

[Rambozo]

The switch is pretty basic. With the wires off the switch will be open without the clutch pulled, and shorted with the clutch pulled.
The green wire should be a good ground. The green/red should have continuity to the coil of the starter solenoid.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... iagram.pdf

[Justmike]

Well I just fitted 2 new diodes and the problem is still there.
So new clutch switch and diodes and if I put engine in gear the starter doesn`t work.
As mentioned earlier the headlight does switch off when I push the starter button, but something is stopping the power from activating the solenoid.
Any other suggestions on what to check will be very much appreciated.

Mike

[Rambozo]

You need to check power and ground at the solenoid and find out which one you are missing.
There is only one diode in the start circuit, but a few others for other things.
A blown diode won't stop the bike from starting, you would just have to pull in the clutch.
Also be aware that many aftermarket solenoids have slightly different wiring than the OEM, so you need to check that, too.

[Justmike]

Thanks Rambozo.
I have just spent ages checking everything and found the problem.
As we know, it is in fact a simple circuit and this made me more confused. I think initially I over thought things making it harder.
Anyway the problem was myself. I made the mistake of thinking that because I was using new parts everything should work. But it doesn`t work that way.
I have a new lever mount and a new switch. The lever is in great condition with no noticeable wear. I have no idea if it was new before I got the bike or not.
When I had finished checking the cable plugs/connectors etc and still no joy I went back to recheck the switch and what I found was that the lever wasn`t allowing enough travel on the switch to make contact inside.
After filing a few thou off the face of the lever I now have a fully working system.

Mike

[Dougrobinson]

What is the condition of your clutch lever bushing?