no starter buttons work

[Guest]

Just bought an 81 GS650E. The only way the bike turns over is by jumping the starter solenoid. I've tried the starter button on it and no go, so I tried another one I had from a 78 GS550 and still nothing. The PO tied the wires together that run from the clutch lever. So I unplugged them from the harness inside the headlight and plugged the into each other and still nothing. Can you not bypass the safety switch? Kickstand is up and it's in neutral.

Thanks in advance

BCR

[Steve]

Kick stand has nothing to do with starting. Neutral has nothing to do with starting.

If the wires to the "safety" switch are properly plugged in to each other (main harness side), you should be able to use the starter.

Two things to check:
1. Is the kill switch set to the ON (or RUN) position?
2. Is the IGNITION fuse good?

.

[boisecaferiders]

Wow. Plugged in the new switch and never even looked at the on/run button. Lesson learned.

thanks man.

[Griffin]

Beautiful. I love it when the fix is free.

From my motorcycle safety course 30 years ago:

FINE-C

Fuel petcock on
Ignition switch on
Neutral light on
Engine kill switch run
Choke on

I still mentally go through that drill every time I start a bike.

[boisecaferiders]

Me too man.

[rwnielsen]

That was way too easy.............let's try something else