 What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35 |
I'm rewiring a wrecked TBA. The left switchgear has been mangled, and the clutch switch is gone but the wires are still there. Do I need the switch, or can I just tape off the wires and forget it? Should I solder them together and tape, or separate them and tape them?
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
The first thing that comes to my mind is that it allows you to start the bike while it is in gear if you are holding in the clutch.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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 Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182 |
It forms part of the earthing loop for the starter switch.
If the bike is in neutral then the starter switch can earth through the neutral switch. But if the bike is in gear you need the clutch pulled in and the sidestand up to complete the earth circuit and get the starter to turn. If either the sidestand is down or the clutch is not pulled in you will get no starter movement. Basically it's so you can not start the bike in gear without the clutch pulled in or the sidestand down.
You could bypass it and join the wires together but then it means your bike can be started in gear, possibly a bad bad hazard??
Did I confuse you cause now I think i'm confused?? 
Last edited by SRS; 03/19/2007 6:06 AM.
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35 |
Thanks guys. Both your comments help.
So let me see if I get this: the switch right now is connected, and pulling the clutch lever breaks the connection? if I solder the clutch switch wires then the circuit is completed, just like the resting state of the clutch lever?
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182 |
No the switch at rest is open circuit. When you pull the lever in you make a closed circuit. If you solder the wires together it would be just like pulling in the clutch lever.
Not a safe idea though??
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
You don't need the clutch switch, same as you don't need the neutral light, side stand switch, brake light, horn etc. However like all those others it's a safety device and if you can wire it back in you're well advised to do so.
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35 |
Thanks for the help, guys. Sandmann, your site has been especially helpful. And I understand your concerns. I'm just trying to solve a problem and learn more about how my wiring works. This motor hasn't started in 3 years since it was wrecked, so I'm trying to piece it back together from a mangled wiring harness.  I've been riding for 25 years and most of my bikes didn't have a kickstand switch or a clutch switch, so I'm not afraid to ride without them, but I do think that they're helpful.
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Did the cigar come with the harness? If so, I want mine! 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Holy Schnikeys that is scary lookin. The clutch switch is just a little spring loaded momentary switch, I bet you could find one and make it work, even if you had to modify the socket it fits into. I'm sure one of us could smap a pic of it if you need a reference point.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Holy Schnikeys that is scary lookin. The clutch switch is just a little spring loaded momentary switch, I bet you could find one and make it work, even if you had to modify the socket it fits into. I'm sure one of us could snap a pic of it if you need a reference point.
AND since I'm here already, I cannot start Vera in this state: In gear, side stand up, and clutch lever pulled in. What's up with that? The clutch switch works per a continuity check, the side stand will kill the motor and the bike starts in neutral. Where are the diodes located for the starting/safety circuitry?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Might be a bad diode pack.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Might be a bad diode pack.
Greybeard, Where is this diode pack located?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35 |
Update:
I ordered a new starter relay, but it didn't get here this weekend, so I'm playing around with the old one to get a better understanding.
I read 12v at the relay (at the red/wht and black/pink wires) when the starter button is pressed, but this doesn't change anything between the blue, blue/yellow and black wires. Blue/yellow to black reads 12v and blue to black reads 12v, whether I press the button or not. Resistance is zero between blue and blue/yellow.
What should be happening in the starter relay when the starter button sends current?
Moe, to answer your question, the diode pack on my wiring harness was a small three wire clip, and it was taped down, wrapped in with the other wires in the harness.
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Re: What does the clutch switch do?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
Quote:
Thanks for the help, guys. Sandmann, your site has been especially helpful. And I understand your concerns. I'm just trying to solve a problem and learn more about how my wiring works. This motor hasn't started in 3 years since it was wrecked, so I'm trying to piece it back together from a mangled wiring harness.
I've been riding for 25 years and most of my bikes didn't have a kickstand switch or a clutch switch, so I'm not afraid to ride without them, but I do think that they're helpful.
Oh my. Mental note: Don't pull out the wiring harness!
For now I'd just short out the clutch switch connectors and concentrate on getting it together & running. Plenty of time for niceties later on.
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