Won't start in gear with clutch pulled in

[Steve G]

Hi My bike ("81 R65) will only start if it is in neutral, it will not start if it is in gear with the clutch pulled in. The bike did take a tumble recently (deer t-boned me) and everything is back together except this quirk. Thoughts?
Thanks.

[Bob_Roller]

There is an interlock switch activated by the clutch lever .
You can follow the wires down and there should be a connector, pull the connector apart and place a wire jumper across the two terminals on the bike side of the connector .
You've bypassed the switch, so you should be able to operate the starter .
Just make sure the transmission is in neutral, otherwise the bike will move !!!!!!!!

[Steve G]

Thanks Bob, found the switch and sorted it out, work fine now.
Steve

[Ed Miller]

Thanks Bob, found the switch and sorted it out, work fine now.
Steve

Did you have to replace the switch, or just fix it?

[montmil]

These BMW Airheads are pretty fancy what with their neutral lights, clutch switch interlock, a GEN lamp that serves as a nice charging system diagnostic tool, electric starters, many with electronic ignitions plus decent brakes. My late model Triumph Triple will shut down itself down if I put it in gear with the sidestand extended.

I grew up on motorcycles that shifted on the right side -English, Italian and Spanish. All required an educated toe as a neutral indicator. The clutch lever operated the clutch and nothing else. Kick starters that often tested my patience. Plus Stone Age ignition systems and draggy components -can't really call them brakes- that would only gradually reduce speed.

I do enjoy my oh so modern Airheads.  [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[MichaelSydney]

I had better look into this circuit. My 1983 R65 will start any time. In gear with clutch engaged? No problem.

Perhaps a previous owner has disabled the interlock system?

Was the clutch/neutral/starter interlock fitted to Australian delivered models?

[montmil]

I had better look into this circuit. My 1983 R65 will start any time. In gear with clutch engaged? No problem.

Perhaps a previous owner has disabled the interlock system?

Was the clutch/neutral/starter interlock fitted to Australian delivered models?

If you're bike is actually starting while it's in gear, I hope you've got a grip on the bars. Usually, the bike just bucks a bit as a way of saying, Pull in the clutch, ya goof ball.

That fiddley clutch interlock switch is hidden inside the clutch lever perch. Two wires connect to unobtainium spade fittings cast into the plastic switch body, then turned in an impossible to replicate design. Thank you, Motoraad. Easy to disconnect the wires, twist 'em together, heat shrink tubing over them and route somewhere under the fuel tank for long-term storage.

Now you're officially back in the day having to either find neutral or pull in the clutch before hitting the start button. Unsure about Aussie laws but I kinda like defeating these silly 'nanny state' things mandated on US bikes. That includes the danged air pulse injection plumbing. Mine now resides in the city landfill.

[marcmax]

Wow, you Texicans sure are touchy about all the wonderful government mandated things that are supposed to improve your life.



I will now retreat to an underground bunker in an undisclosed location to wait for the fallout to settle.  [smiley=beehive.gif]

[Tony Smith]

The R65 is mercifully mostly free of Nanny state intrusion, no side stand switches, not "squat" switches, headlights that can be turned off, Blinker beepers that easily disconnect (OK so only the 1979 edition had that and it has been in my Wife's "spares" box since fifteen minutes after she took delivery in 1979.

But as I know to my cost and chagrin, hidden diodes can mess up your day, on my old R100, the failure of the neutral interlock in a particular way will leave the start motor energised, they are not immune from electrical stupidity.

I read recently how proud of itself BMW was for fitting start-motors so early. Ha! As anyone who has ever kick started a /6 or /7 R75/80/90/100, they are a chore to start, in fact by the time they got to the R100 you had to be pretty much my size to be a show of starting one as the 1/4 arc stroke of the kick leaver turns the engine over 4 times - 98 pound (when wringing wet) metro-sexuals need not apply.

The GS addresses the problem by altered gearing and a longer lever BTW).

[montmil]

Wow, you Texicans sure are touchy about all the wonderful government mandated things that are supposed to improve your life.



I will now retreat to an underground bunker in an undisclosed location to wait for the fallout to settle.  [smiley=beehive.gif]

Don't go getting me stated on supposedly authentic Texas Picante Sauce made in New freakin' York. [smiley=furious3.gif]

[k_enn]

Don't go getting me stated on supposedly authentic Texas Picante Sauce made in New freakin' York. [smiley=furious3.gif]

Or those New York cheese cakes made at the Cheesecake Factory in Dallas, Texas?

Or Chicago deep dish pizza (a misnomer if ever I heard one; if it isn't thin, it isn't pizza) made at the Uno Pizzeria in Fort Worth, Texas?

 [smiley=beehive.gif]

k_enn

[Ed Miller]

My R65 doesn't have a headlight switch.  

And Monte, you can't kick start my Triumph with the clutch disengaged.  You wouldn't be spinning the motor.  Unless, as often happens, the clutch plates are stuck together.

[montmil]

...And Monte, you can't kick start my Triumph with the clutch disengaged.

Don't know of any old Turnip that could be kick started with the clutch disengaged; nor did I mention doing that. Although it was often necessary to pull in the clutch lever and wind on the kick starter to "break" the clutch plates free. [smiley=huh.gif]

[Lucky_Lou]

Two wires connect to unobtainium spade fittings cast into the plastic switch body,

Loving the Avatar reference Monte....
Presumably this switch was fitted after 81 !! my 79 has not got one or the wonderful California tree huggers plumbing.
Lou