not starting... where to start looking

[apcsox]

1980 GS550E, 17,500 miles
I recently put my bike up for the winter since I was unable to take it with me to my new apartment building due to parking limitations and it has been living inside the garage at my father's house.... i was recently in the area and decided to stop by to fire the bike up just to bring it for a quick spin to keep everything moving.... battery is fine, on a trickle charger...
so, key in and in on position, I pulled the clutch lever and pressed the starter button.... nothing... looked to make sure that the battery was in fact giving voltage... lights were on, voltage was at 12.4ish, jumper pack was attached just in case.... I didn't have much time to tinker with her because of work and after trying a few more times I had to leave.... for my return visit, I was going to try to figure out what the heck could cause this problem, what are the most likely culprits and where I should begin looking... I'm thinking either something wrong with the key-hole itself (but I figured that the lights/etc wouldn't have worked), the starter button or the starter solenoid....
advice please?

 

[almarconi]

Check your fuses. The battery voltage is a little low.

Was it running fine before you put it away?

Check to make sure critters didn't get into your wiring harness, I've had it happen on a riding mower before.

 

[apcsox]

she was running great... I hated the fact i had to leave it...... I didn't see any chewed wires visibly and I did try changing the fuses since it was a quick and easy thing to try but still got nothing

 

[blowerbike]

clutch lever lock-out switch.

 

[apcsox]

is that on the clutch lever itself?.... because that would make sense... when I pulled the clutch, it usually clicked, but it didn't last week when I was trying to fire it up

 

[blowerbike]

is that on the clutch lever itself?.... because that would make sense... when I pulled the clutch, it usually clicked, but it didn't last week when I was trying to fire it up

yes it is.

 

[Guest]

clutch lever lock-out switch.

My first thought also.
I bypassed mine.
Was the kill switch on "run"?

 

[apcsox]

My first thought also.
I bypassed mine.
Was the kill switch on "run"?

yeah, I made that mistake once when I first got the bike, wondering why it wasn't starting with the killswitch off >_<

anyhow, this bypassing, how to do?

 

[Guest]

yeah, I made that mistake once when I first got the bike, wondering why it wasn't starting with the killswitch off >_<

anyhow, this bypassing, how to do?

Follow the wires from the clutch switch into the headlight bucket, unplug the switch and plug the wires from the harness into each other.
Easy Peasy

 

[blowerbike]

either cut and twist together or...
trace them into the headlite bucket and unplug then re-plug back into each other to complete the connection.
if you go into the bucket it will be self explanatory .

 

[Tom MLC]

Check that kill switch closely. Contacts get dirty. Mine did over the winter (last year).

Check with a voltmeter to make sure there is no large voltage drop. Or check with an ohmeter to ensure good continuity thru the switch.

 

[apcsox]

shoot, figures, I'm more a visual learner and the bike is 75 miles away........ so, the wire(s?) from the clutch switch goes into the mass of wires behind the headlight and connects to a harness? on the opposite end of said harness is another wire? cut, splice and butt-connect these wires?..... like I said, bike far away, visual learner but making sure I'm catching the main gist of it

 

[Guest]

shoot, figures, I'm more a visual learner and the bike is 75 miles away........ so, the wire(s?) from the clutch switch goes into the mass of wires behind the headlight and connects to a harness? on the opposite end of said harness is another wire? cut, splice and butt-connect these wires?..... like I said, bike far away, visual learner but making sure I'm catching the main gist of it

You don't need to cut anything.
Just plug the two wires into each other to complete the circuit just like the switch did.

 

[blowerbike]

2 wires from clutch perch.
clip and twist opposite of clutch perch.
simple.
several ways to skin a cat.
look at the workings of the switch and you will understand.
**NOTE**
***bike will start in gear when this switch is by-passed***

 

[blowerbike]

bill,
take over...
my fingers are tired

 

[apcsox]

okay, it sounds easy enough, I sjut seem to have a tendency of messing electrical things up, that's why i'm asking more questions

 

[almarconi]

The clutch switch is bypassed on my bike. Remove the wires from the switch at the clutch perch, twist them together, tape or solder them and stick them back into the switch housing. Just remember to have the bike in neutral when you try and start it.

 

[apcsox]

oh, so, right at the clutch lever there's two wires, just connect them to complete the circuit and that's it?

 

[apcsox]

wait, I think I just got it and I feel retarded.... pulling the clutch lever would complete said circuit, so, if the wires are connected, the circuit is always complete >_<.... or I still don't and you guys are face-palming yourselves right now

 

[almarconi]

You got it now :clap: