Clutch lever switches...Arrrgghh!

[offcenter]

In the five years or so that I've owned my '99 GL-1500, I have never been able
to start it in gear by pulling in the clutch lever. If I stalled it, I'd have to get it into neutral first to get it restarted.

Today I replaced both switches under the clutch lever. I figured one of those was at fault.
Wrong!
It still won't start unless it's in neutral!! If the green neutral light is not lit, NUTTIN'!!
Anyone have a guess as to where I should look next?
Thanks guys.

P.S. Can someone tell me which one of those switches is the start switch?
The top one nearest the handlebar, or the lower one?

[aj1500]

first you need to listen carefully when you pull in the clutch, you should hear 2 clicks, the second click is the micro switch that activates the safety and lets it start in gear, it is the one that faces out toward the end of the handlebar. if you don't hear that second click then that is where you need to start. I am currently correcting this issue on my wife's 1500, I replaced the hand grips with some nice new ones and didn't get it lined up right and now the padding stops the clutch lever from hitting the button on the switch enough to activate it.

[Rambozo]

Start switch.

Cruise switch.

[Rednaxs60]

aj1500 beat me to it. Have you aftermarket hand grips? If so these are probably the culprit.

[Charlie1Horse]

On my 92 Interstate, I have Kuryakin grips and aftermarket chrome brake/clutch levers. I always had to go back to neutral (light on) and I could never start in gear. I had a random shut-down problem where I would lose ignition as I rode at any speed. I tried replacing the clutch start switch which had no effect. As I investigated the trouble I found that I could not hear the click from the micro switch. I replaced the chrome levers as the clutch side seemed to have a worn pivot hole. No help. I took some metallic tape like they use on air conditioning duct work and placed several layers on the lever (where it pushes the switch) until I made it click upon use. Now, it will start in any gear by just pulling the clutch lever. Apparently the combination of the Kuryakin grips and the aftermarket levers leaves too large of a gap between the lever and the switch so now it works perfectly and I can't see the tape so, I am happy with it.
Russell

[offcenter]

I took some metallic tape like they use on air conditioning duct work and placed several layers on the lever (where it pushes the switch) until I made it click upon use. Now, it will start in any gear by just pulling the clutch lever. Apparently the combination of the Kuryakin grips and the aftermarket levers leaves too large of a gap between the lever and the switch so now it works perfectly and I can't see the tape so, I am happy with it.
Russell

Ah HA! You hit it!
I just went out there and checked. The switch is not pushing in far enough to click.
The bike still has the factory clutch lever from 1999. The end is probably worn.
Easy fix. I'll either use some tape, like you did, or build up the end with a thin layer
of hard epoxy.
Either way, at least I know what's causing it.
Thanks everyone, and especially Charlie.

[Rednaxs60]

The clutch lever has a bushing that can be worn. Honda has them, easy fix.

[offcenter]

The clutch lever has a bushing that can be worn. Honda has them, easy fix.

Yes, that bushing is worn. Wasn't sure it could be replaced.
Didn't see it on Cyclemax. They only have the bushing that connects the clutch pushrod.
Any idea who has that bushing?

[WingAdmin]

The clutch lever has a bushing that can be worn. Honda has them, easy fix.

Yes, that bushing is worn. Wasn't sure it could be replaced.
Didn't see it on Cyclemax. They only have the bushing that connects the clutch pushrod.
Any idea who has that bushing?

It's widely available. You can even get it from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Honda-22885-MB0- ... B00AAH87GW

[offcenter]

The clutch lever has a bushing that can be worn. Honda has them, easy fix.

Yes, that bushing is worn. Wasn't sure it could be replaced.
Didn't see it on Cyclemax. They only have the bushing that connects the clutch pushrod.
Any idea who has that bushing?

It's widely available. You can even get it from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Honda-22885-MB0- ... B00AAH87GW

Thanks Scott. I just ordered two of 'em from Carolina Cycles, along with starter relay "A" that I was talking about in my other thread. I was kind of surprised that Cyclemax didn't have it.