Electrical wire on clutch perch?

Well I got my bars yesterday and wasted no time mounting them on the ol girl..I really like the stripped down look on these bars. when taking the controls off, I broke a wire off the clutch perch, and I am wondering what the wire is for being a mechanical clutch? I am also in need of a clutch perch, there was one bolt that broke off and it's kinda ugly anyways as far as the finish goes the perch is marked up and I'd like to locate a new one. Anywho here are some pics of my lady with her new 15"apes, Next up is to change the signals and a side mount license plate and some rear fender mods.

 

The wire in the clutch perch is the wire for the clutch lever switch, part of the bike's safety interlock system.

 

Oh, so it has got to be there then? I will need to repair it?

 

If you want the interlock system to work 100% correctly, yes. It's there to signal the system that the clutch is pulled in; if that feature isn't important, then not 100% necessary; but it's what will allow a quick-start in gear if you stall in traffic... Without it, the bike won't spin the starter/run while in gear (without the clutch signaling that it's pulled in.)

I would recommend fixing it, yes.

 

Having the Clutch Lever Safety Switch working properly will save you from a lot of embarrassment.

If you stall a hot Bike that does not have a well adjusted Clutch; getting the Bike back into Neutral, to get her started again, can be a real fight.

Somebody in a hurry invariably get impatient and starts leaning on the horn.
That leaves you struggling to find Neutral or dismounting and pushing the Bike out of the way.

Not a pretty sight.

 

Could you hardwire the clutch safety switch to make the system think that the clutch is always pulled in?

 

You CAN do lots of things.

That would allow the starter to spin, even in gear, with the clutch out. Not so bad if it's on the centerstand, or you're on the bike and you know you're doing it. Not so good if it's on the sidestand and you forget to put it in neutral. 8O

edit: or will the sidestand switch prevent starting in gear with it down? Mine doesn't work, so I don't know.

 

I believe the sidestand switch does prevent starting if the bike is in gear. But theoreticall then, both of these switches could be eliminated and the bike would still start normally, provided that you remember to pull the clutch in if starting it in any situation other than neutral. Do the switches have to be hotwired? Or can the components just be removed?

 

If you jump (short) the switch (clutch safety switch) the bike will start even if it is in gear. This means that the bike will lurch if you press the starter while the bike is off and in gear. and will also grind the starter if you hit the button by accident while riding.

I jumped the leads on my last bike as a temporary fix when I snapped the switch... But I left it as such for a while and let me warn you... Never try to start the bike while some pretty girls are walking by... gravity sucks...

Cheers
Dave

 

Haha! Words to live by!
My starter switch was moved by the PO so there's no way I would hit it while I'm riding anyways. That's also the reason I want to bypass this switch, because I need both hands to start the bike and that's before I pull in clutch. The switch was removed by the PO and I found the wires from it hanging free when I was cleaning up my wiring harness last night. So I guess I'll just leave it off and always remember to put the bike in neutral before starting lol.

 

Famous last words!
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

So if I'm following this correctly....I can just leave this wire disconnected and things are fine, just as long as I pull the clutch in and start?

 

No.

The Switch is integral to the Safety Circuit.

If the Switch is disabled. The Bike will have too be in NEUTRAL to engage the Starter.

If the Switch is shorted. The Bike will allow the Starter to engage WITHOUT the Clutch Lever pulled, ... >> AND << In gear.

The latter being a dangerous situation if the Bike is warmed-up and in a relatively good state of tune.
The Bike will lurch forward.
May start and be out of control.

A dangerous situation.

 

I agree with Rick.

I highly recommend AGAINST disabling part or all of the safety interlock system; between the shape of the sidestand (such that it can drop the bike if you turn left with it down) and the electric starter, you'll have a three-pronged recipe for disaster on your hands.

 

Look at it this way, ...

The Switch you had did the job for over 20 years!

You'd like to LIVE for at least another 20 years.

Bite the Bullet and get you a NEW Switch:

3Y6-82917-00-00 $8.88

You can splice wire into the pigtial and make it as long as you need it.

 

First of all, I have to say that, in my humble opinion, APE HANGERS ARE THE STUPIDEST THING A KNUCKLEHEAD CAN WANT TO PUT ON HIS RIDE. Sorry if I have offended any knuckleheads out there. I firmly believe that they are uncomfortable and I certainly believe they are dangerous as the handle bars are a control structure. Guys like SKRAM want to project a certain look in order to be cool, but cool at the expense of safety is not cool, why it would not surprise me if SKRAM has done away with his front brakes. This seems to be a nasty little trendy thing to do on some of these bobber projects. My advice to you out there who think safety looks uncool; GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER.

 

CYCLE Magazine did a feature on Ape Hangers vs. Regular Bars in a Handling and Braking Feature Story, years ago.

Ape Hanger Bars were at the bottom of the list in every category.
Of particular note was the extreme vulnerability imposed in a SUDDEN EVASIVE MANEUVERING situation.

The article spawned legislation in many States on Handlebar Height Limits.

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/feature-ar ... y-business

 

Those are the first AH's I've seen on an inline 4 - seems even more dangerous than when they are on a V, at least on a V the power comes on slowly, but each to their own I guess.

Agree with Rick on the clutch switch, wouldn't want to be without it. If you start in gear and your hand is on the throttle you can gun it and it can leave you behind.

 

Ricks Link: check out that guy on the interstate. That can not be safe, there is no way you could lean properly in an evasive maneuver, not to mention reduced access to the front brake. That set up looks like a death trap to me.

 

So we resurrected this thread from back in March, because... ???

The original title is "Electrical Wire on Clutch Perch?"

Asked and answered; and if anybody needs a pic: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=30354.html

 

Good way to keep the "pits" dry on humid summer rides though! :roll:
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: