Sidestand

On my '82 550Maxim I have been chasing starting issues. I have come up with a procedure that works nearly every time and is kind of a pain.

Key on
stand the bike up
put in neutral ( or verify its in neutral)
petcock to pri
choke on
press in sidestand safety switch button and release
pull clutch
hit start button

if it fires but doesn't catch ( most of the time)
The only thing that seems to make it fire again is to mess with the sidstand switch. There is nothing on the stand itself to actuate the switch so I don't know if it should be in or out when the stand is up.

Could someone show me some pictures of how this is all supposed to operate?

Thanks

 

There is supposed to be a stamped metal "segment" that the sidestand springs attach to; it serves as the switch activator.

Pictures on the way.

 

OK, here you go: Sidestand UP:



Switch is NOT activated.


Sidestand DOWN:



The switch is activated by the spring anchor segment piece...

 

It is not uncommon for the switch to get sticky. I had to do similar, and for awhile kept a particular screwdriver in my pocket that I had bent to fit around to the switch. I'd put the stand up, then reach down and around with the screwdriver, hook the back edge of the plunger and pull it out the rest of the way. Bike would start every time. I replaced the switch the following year when I got really tired of doin that every time, and disconnecting the switch, then a local fellow getting killed when his stand was down and he rounded a curve and got thrown off. I bought a new switch the next day.

 

The switch itself will benefit from a good flush with contact cleaner so that it moves freely again; and you can use the stalk of a q-tip to help squeeze a dab of silicone grease in once it's clean.

however: Check the rubber boot. If it has cracked in the "folds" you are going to need to replace the switch.

Tip: Save yourself some $$$. Don't waste your time with used parts; one of mine failed, I bought another decent one off eBay-- it failed. The seller felt bad and sent me another one-- which failed a week later.

Chacal carries them new, and they're still available from Yamaha. The boot is not available separately.

 

yeah, boot failure is what caused mine to go bad. water worked its way, causing some oxidation, and I'm sure road dust got in, too. It moved in and out, but it would not come back out the last 1/16 in (or less), of course just enough shy of allowing the switch to make the contact.

I've had success with used ones, too, though.

 

Thanks so much fitz!!! My "spring anchor segment piece" had quite a twist to it. More than enough twist to not let it make it to the switch. Spent a couple of minutes with a hammer and its all good.

The boot is cracked. :evil: May have to look into the new one.

A sticky switch has caused me the most trouble on this bike....and now knowing how its supposed to function.......grrrr hours wasted.

One more thing that the PO did to this poor bike that I have undone and made right, mostly thanks to this site!

Thanks guys!

Edit: I just added a picture of the twisted stand to my gallery, if anyone is interested.

 

+1 on the flush. even though mine looks almost new
it still sticks a bit a couple of times a year.