[Spok]

Well, it happened. I was left stranded by the side of the road today, the victim of a bad kickstand switch. While riding down a nice wooded country road, it just died, I didn't understand at first what the problem was. I immediately pulled the clutch and to my suprise, it started back up. I droped down a gear, let out the clutch and it died again. I pulled off to the side of the road and shut it down.

I tried to start it again, fired right up, kicked it in gear, let the clutch loose, it died. Puzzled, I tried it again, no change.

Because I had just washed it and was only planning on a quick dry trip around the block but changed my mind when I realized it was such a nice day, I left my cell phone at home, GASP! A passerby let me use his cell phone to call for help, thanks for that.

Bikes in the shop now, they have to order the part so I don't know how long I'm gonna be bikeless. This weekend is going to be sunny, warm and clear, maybe the last time this year! ARRRRRRRGHHHHHH!

 

[Ken]

This weekend is going to be sunny, warm and clear, maybe the last time this year! ARRRRRRRGHHHHHH!

Cancel, clear that thought Indian summer man! October will be a ride fest. The Gods owe you another weekend!

Anyway, hope your part comes in and you are back on two quickly.

Any idea how the bath killed the switch? Just the right amount of pressure in the wrong spot?

 

[bikeaholic]

re

yea-i'd like to know if it was switch failure or water related
i've heard that tale before

 

[Stuart]

yeah, you could have just deactivated it..right then and there, mine had issues like that so I just got rid of it because in all honesty, the minute my butt hits the seat my kickstand goes up, i've never had a ride off incident with my kickstand.

 

[Spok]

I think the switch was bad from the get-go. After I explained the situation, the tech at the dealership started it in neutral with the kickstand down, then shifted into first. It didnt' kill, it has always been that way. He said even with the clutch in, it should've died with the kickstand down. Its always been like that so I guessed it was right.

Oh yeah, after nearly breaking my back and that of my friend trying to get the bike into the back of my truck, the guys at the dealer unloaded it at the shop. They started it, pulled the clutch, threw it into gear and rode it into the service bay, as if there was nothing wrong with it.

Anyway, I did consider the washing to maybe have caused the problem but I'm not a heavy sprayer when I wash, I used a light mist just to get it wet enough for the suds.

They are going to try a "workaround" so I can get it back today hopefully while the part comes in.

 

[woodchucks800]

Spok You outta see how you can hot wire around the switch so if it happens again you'll know how to bypass the switch an be on your way. I know if I ever have this problem I'll bypass the switch permanently. That's just my opinion.

 

[QKENUF4U]

ya you could just bypass it and forget about it. just follow the wires from the switch to where they plug into the harness, unplug them (one will be female the other male) just plug the two from the harness into each other and your done. if you have to you can just cut the wires on the harness side and twist them together.
glad ya figured it out. :wink:

 

[Spok]

thats exactly what the tech did and showed me at the shop. I'm still going to have them reinstall the new switch, its warranty work so might as well get it fixed. If it happens again, its oh so "fixed"

Thanks ya'll

 

[ispeed77]

spok

glad your ride is fixed, and thanks for the isight. my switch doesn't kill the engine until the clutch is released in gear, so i wonder if it works right. not going to worry about it, i'll just jump it out if it ever happens. hey, just a heads up. i had my nomad leave me stranded twice in one weekend. thought it was the starter solenoid as it was all corroded, but turned out that the factory connection on the clutch switch was coming apart. just a simple slip that wasn't holding the wire in far enough. of course i didn't find that out until 1000 miles of starting the bike with a hardware store switch that jumped out the solenoid !! oh well, all is fixed now and only cost me a small pain in the butt. still wouldn't trade my nomad for anything. just something to keep an eye on if your ride won't start.

 

[PickYourPockets]

Wonder if these switches are prone to failure... a couple of months ago I stopped being able to start my Vulcan when in gear. Used to be that if the clutch was pulled, I could start in first. Now it only starts in neutral. Minor irritation really. Any suggestions?

 

[Spok]

sounds like the switch. I was always able to start in gear with the clutch pulled. apparently that is wrong, or at least is what the tech said. Anyway, I now know how to & where to go to disengage the switch.