electric dies when clutch is pulled?

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  • maro
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    electric dies when clutch is pulled?

    I put the bike back together tonight after a long winter. re-installed carbs, etc. Battery has been on a charger all winter. Once everything is together I turn her on. Lights go on. I then flick the switch to on, pull clutch and and hit start button. THE BIKE (power) IMMEDIATLEY SHUTS OFF! No more headlights or guage lights. I have to dis-connect the battery and then re-connect it, to regain power. the process then repeats,

    What he heck is going on here? Took me 2 hours to shove those carbs back in just to not even get power.

    FYI- Battery is dated 06.

    thanks for any help!
  • marvinsc
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Apr 2005
    • 15396
    • Murray Kentucky

    #2
    Sounds like a problem with the Clutch safety switch, start there.
    sigpic2002 KLR650 Ugly but fun!
    2001 KLR650 too pretty to get dirty

    Life is a balancing act, enjoy every day, "later" will come sooner than you think. Denying yourself joy now betting you will have health and money to enjoy life later is a bad bet.

    Where I've been Riding


    Comment

    • maro

      #3
      I'll bypass the clutch safety switch. However, could there be any other cause?

      thanks

      Originally posted by marvinsc
      Sounds like a problem with the Clutch safety switch, start there.

      Comment

      • saddlewarmer

        #4
        sounds like a bad connection somewhere.check ground at battery and battery connections to all points.

        Comment

        • Guest

          #5
          The clutch safety switch just brakes the circuit from the starter button to the starter solenoid. The starter button is broke with the kill switch. I would check those connections and the connection under your tank that all these connect into the wiring loom.

          Comment

          • maro

            #6
            I'll check the wires

            I'll check those wires, thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know what I find

            Comment

            • maro

              #7
              I Just snuck outta work and looked at my bike. Battery is grounded. Wires look like they are going to all the appropriate places.

              any further suggestions?

              Also, any chance someone can walk me through the getting the clutch safety wire out of the headlight console.

              thanks

              Comment

              • jknappsax
                Forum Sage
                Past Site Supporter
                • Jul 2003
                • 1108
                • Philadelphia, PA

                #8
                Hey Maro, where in Philly are you? I live in Wissahickon.
                1979 GS 1000

                Comment

                • maro

                  #9
                  Hey man,

                  I live in Mt. Airy, but my garage is dowtown. Do you know how to synch carbs, cause once I get this sorted out, I'm gonna need help. Instant Message me where exactly you live in wissiahickon.

                  Comment

                  • jknappsax
                    Forum Sage
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • Jul 2003
                    • 1108
                    • Philadelphia, PA

                    #10
                    I'm setting valve clearances now, then I'll dig into the carbs; rejetting, setting float heights, setting the needle valves, doing a bench sync and then a vacuum sync. This is my first experience tuning and syncing carbs. Have you checked your valve clearances; it will affect the vacuum, so that should be first on your list. I'm right off of Ridge Av. at the top of the hill that comes up from Main St. Manayunk. I'll PM you when I get a better handle on this stuff; I'm waiting for parts now.
                    1979 GS 1000

                    Comment

                    • maro

                      #11
                      just to follow up. The cleaned lightly cleaned connections and the problem didn;t seem to happen... thanks for all the help!! Go stuff to know in the future!

                      Comment

                      • ohgoodtimes

                        #12
                        Just a thought, i had this problem with my ex250 and i cleaned the connectors helped a little, then i replaced the screws and nuts and never had a problem again. The other ones were kind of lacking in thread and so the connectors were moving just enough to kill the bike when i hit the starter. Just a thought

                        Comment

                        • Steve
                          GS Whisperer
                          • Jun 2005
                          • 35925
                          • southwest oHIo

                          #13
                          Originally posted by maro
                          Battery has been on a charger all winter.
                          What kind of charger?
                          If it was a manual charger, your battery is just plain toast.
                          If it was an automatic charger, your battery is still toast.

                          Your only hope is if it was a charger/maintainer similar to those sold under the "Battery Tender" brand name.

                          Check to make sure you have not boiled the battery dry over the winter.

                          Another way to help you diagnose battery problems is to connect another battery to your bike with jumper cables. Park your car next to the bike, turn the engine off, connect the batteries. Now try the bike to see if you get anything. If it works now, you will need a new battery.

                          .
                          sigpic
                          mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                          hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                          #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                          #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                          Family Portrait
                          Siblings and Spouses
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                          Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                          (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                          Comment

                          • maro

                            #14
                            well, it didn't start up up the poswer didn't get out when I pulled the clutch and hit start. I've had it on a tender all winter. Seems to me, now, that there is a mechanical reason why it won't fire, now that it seems to cranking.


                            thanks for everything

                            Comment

                            • Steve
                              GS Whisperer
                              • Jun 2005
                              • 35925
                              • southwest oHIo

                              #15
                              Originally posted by maro
                              I've had it on a tender all winter.
                              Was it a propper "tender"? Even an "automatic charger" keeps too much of a charge going when it's done.

                              Have you checked the electrolyte level in the battery? Even a good tender might boil off some of the water.

                              .
                              sigpic
                              mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                              hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                              #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                              #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                              Family Portrait
                              Siblings and Spouses
                              Mom's first ride
                              Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                              (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                              Comment

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