78 GS 1000 Clutch activated switch - How does it work???

[ddominik]

Hi Y'all

I recently picked up a GS1000 as my winter project and step one has been to see what works and what doesn't. The "starter disconnect switch" has me a bit confused.

1. How does it work? clutch in? clutch out?
2. Some parts are missing-spring and some sort of metal contact??? dunno?
3. Is this switch necessary?

TBC (to be continued)
Thanks
Dom

[sschering]

It works just like the brake light switch.. (same parts I think)
Pulling the clutch in completes the circuit for the start switch..

It can be bypassed by unplugging it inside the headlight and plugging the 2 leads from the harness it was connected to together. Yellow/Green stripe wires I believe.

The wiring on mine was cut off at the clutch perch twisted together and taped to the control harness So I just bypassed and removed it.

[Steve]

The switch is "normally open", meaning it will not conduct until activated (clutch lever pulled). In its intended use, you had to pull the clutch lever to complete the circuit through the starter button. This was intended as a safety device to prevent the bike from lurching forward if you happened to start it in gear.

No, it's not "needed" and many of us have disconnected it. Follow the wires into the headlight bucket, you will see a pair of bullet connections. Disconnect the switch leads, then re-connect the connectors that go to the main harness to each other. The system will now think the clutch lever is always pulled and will engage the starter any time the key is ON and the START button is pressed.

.

[Steve]

It works just like the brake light switch.. (same parts I think)

Yes, mostly same parts, but I just tried to move a clutch switch to make it into a brake switch and found that the brake switch wires have two male bullets, while the clutch switch has one male, one female. You can either make a jumper wire or clip and re-connect with the proper-gender connector.

.

[ddominik]

Thanks for the help ... it's history.