2005 S83 Starting issue
 

Hey all. Just picked up a 2005 S83 and its my first cruiser style bike. Loving it so far but it started doing something kinda irritating. Whenever I go to start it I turn the key, everything lights up, I push the starter button and I have to pull the clutch in and out a few times before it will fire up. Never tinkered with one of these types of bikes so just looking for some place to start. I does have a brand new battery in it and cranks over just fine (when it does decide to crank). Just wanted to figure out what it is with the clutch that is making it delay. I did just order a new Clutch Lever Release Cut Out Micro Switch Replacement to see if that helps. Also should this bike crank over with no clutch in neutral? If so it's not doing that either, maybe another symptom of the same problem?


Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. :)

Hey man. I literally just had this same exact problem this weekend on my bike. There is a little switch right underneath the clutch handle. Its a safety switch to where you have to have the clutch pulled in in order to start. So you cant start it while its in gear and it lunging forward on you. I'm sure you know all of that. But anyways, I believe its 2 Philips screws that hold it on. Take those out and check your 2 wires connectors. Tighten both of them, making sure you get a good connection. Then put some kind of dielectric grease on the little switch that slides back and forth. Work in the grease, make sure it slides freely. Then put it back on. Should fire right up. Mine did anyways. If not... By pass the switch by taking the two wires off the switch. Take a small piece of wire and stick it in both connectors, tieing them together temporarily. If it fires up... Its a bad switch. I'm not sure how much they are. Luckily I didn't have to buy one. Hopefully you wont either. But I'm sure they cant be too terribly much. I hope this helps.

yep that was the culprit. made a jumper and now it starts fine, new part is in the mail. Although I came across something new today. While riding my clutch lever suddenly quit functioning. Just bled the lines the other day and put new DOT4 Synthetic in them. What would be making me lose pressure in my Clutch line? Air? I'm pretty careful when I bleed the lines and use a pressure bleeder. Suggestions?

Ya that would be my guess, is air in the lines. Try re-bleeding them. One little air bubble will cause a world of hurt. If that dont fix it, you might have to take it to a mechanic.

I ordered some new masters/levers cause the chrome on mine was looking all faded anyways. So I'll install and re-bleed and see if it fixes the problem.