1980 interstate neutral safety switch

[chief771]

Good afternoon all!
I have a question about my neutral safety switch. The neutral light stays on all the time and I can start the bike without pulling in the clutch. I figure the switch is bad but could it possibly be a diode I just read about. I dont know if that diode is on my model or not. It also looks like I have to remove the engine to change the switch? It looks to be right behind the frame.. the previous owner's fix was to put a price of black tape over the light. I guess I would like it to work properly. Call me fussy

[DenverWinger]

Diode Open - N light works normally, have to pull clutch to start engine, even in Neutral.
Diode Shorted - N light comes on in neutral, off when in gear but comes on again when not in Neutral and you pull the clutch. Starter works in Neutral or clutch pulled when in gear.
Diode OKAY, Neutral switch stuck - N light always on, starts regardless of gear or clutch lever.

My Neutral switch has been stuck for years, I simply removed the bulb. Have to pull engine to get to the 1980 Neutral switch.

[chief771]

Thank you Mark. I like your idea. I dont have the time or the right tools to pull the engine
Bulb will have to come out.
Thanks again!

[Chewy]

Thank you Mark. I like your idea. I dont have the time or the right tools to pull the engine
Bulb will have to come out.
Thanks again!

even with a small assortment of tools, pulling an engine is fairly easy. the largest nut/bolt is a 19mm, i believe.
hardest part is when you are ready to pull the engine out, make sure you do not hit the pulse generator on the frame.
if you like a beer when working on projects, have a six pack handy. average person will go through 2 of them just pulling the circlip off of the output shaft.

it is easiest to have someone there to help you out, but possible to do it solo.

[DenverWinger]

+1 on the circlip beers. A couple bad words, too, are usually necessary to help the circlip off the output shaft.

[chief771]

Thank you for the replies. I think I will drink the beers and consider the work.

[WingAdmin]

It could also be the neutral switch wire pinched and shorted somewhere. This is a common cause. If the wire going to the neutral switch gets pinched somewhere, and the wire gets shorted to the frame (i.e. to ground), it will cause exactly the symptoms you're describing.