Side stand antics

RennyRacer · Jan 19, 2021

I know this has been discussed on previous posts. The side stand in the up position kills the starter circuit even though clutch lever is pulled in. Annoying as the bike often refuses to find neutral when stopped at a light (I get either first or second no matter the technique) and if stopped to check map or whatever, I have to find the elusive neutral sweet spot to re-start the bike. I did the jumper wire trick on the side stand electrical connector to fool it, but no luck. If bike in gear, starter is dead. Has to be in neutral.

As the issues with the bike are more than I anticipated, may find dealer/mechanic to sort it out. Recommendations for North Bay area shops very welcomed. Around 3,400 miles on the bike. What I would call a wtf revelation.

Araitim · Jan 19, 2021

It's a cable adjustment issue. They often have some difficulties finding neutral on the cable bikes. Do you have aftermarket levers?

RennyRacer · Jan 19, 2021

Araitim said:
It's a cable adjustment issue. They often have some difficulties finding neutral on the cable bikes. Do you have aftermarket levers?

Yes, after market, but free play seems to be in spec. Might have read up for the complete adjustmemt procedure.

N4teTheGreat · Jan 20, 2021

Less about free play and more about how the engage the clutch switch. Mine didn't engage the switch enough so the bike always thought the clutch was pulled in which prompts the ECU to aggressively cut power at 8500. Presumably you could have the opposite problem with the switch always being depressed which would make it impossible to start the bike unless you've found neutral.

Even with the cables properly adjusted on the 939 I have times when it's tricky to get into neutral, but it can be done. I was lazy and let the shop adjust things last time it got serviced and once it's warm it's not problem finding neutral unless I put too much pressure in which case it goes right to first or second.

RennyRacer · Jan 20, 2021

N4teTheGreat said:
Less about free play and more about how the engage the clutch switch. Mine didn't engage the switch enough so the bike always thought the clutch was pulled in which prompts the ECU to aggressively cut power at 8500. Presumably you could have the opposite problem with the switch always being depressed which would make it impossible to start the bike unless you've found neutral.

Even with the cables properly adjusted on the 939 I have times when it's tricky to get into neutral, but it can be done. I was lazy and let the shop adjust things last time it got serviced and once it's warm it's not problem finding neutral unless I put too much pressure in which case it goes right to first or second.

That sounds like worth a look. Thanks

gatdammit · Jan 20, 2021

The advertised 2-3mm play was no joke. I liked a much different friction point but suffered with difficult neutral. Also, check the play/spec of the shifter linkage. Mine loosens often and it affects engagement drastically.

If you're tired of all that ****, get a hydraulic clutch. None of this is a problem since the swap. I can pretty much dump it and pull away smooth.

RennyRacer · Jan 20, 2021

Getting a bit frustrated and kicking my own arse for venturing into another non UJM after a less than stellar KTM experience!
Launching the bike is no prob. It’s a dare ya to find neutral, squid.
Btw, just now pulled the aftermarket lever, which has no threaded adjuster for the electrical cut out. I depressed it manually with a screw driver and tried to start it in first. Nada!
You’re in SF, right? Any mechanics in mind?

N4teTheGreat · Jan 20, 2021

In the city I hear good things about this gal who has a history at MotoGuild and just opened her own shop, lots of Ducati experience - Moto Lucia I haven't tried her yet but she's gonna be the next person to touch the bike. For all work to date that hasn't been done by the dealership under a maintenance plan I bought with the bike (kind of a sucker move, but it was nice to get the 18k service done with no bill) I've gone with Catalyst Reaction - Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning – For the love of two wheels but that's a trek for you.

Me levers (Pazzo) didn't have anything to adjust how they hi the switch, I had to remove if a few times and fiddle with the bend of the metal bit that touches the lever and depresses the switch.

RennyRacer · Jan 20, 2021

Thanks again Nate! Will check her out. Had some referring Nichols, South Bay as very good. Comment?

N4teTheGreat · Jan 20, 2021

Heard them mentioned, but I don't pay much attention to south bay as the only way my bike gets to a shop is by me riding it so Catalyst is about as far as I wanna travel.

RennyRacer · Jan 24, 2021

N4teTheGreat said:
Heard them mentioned, but I don't pay much attention to south bay as the only way my bike gets to a shop is by me riding it so Catalyst is about as far as I wanna travel.

RennyRacer · Jan 24, 2021

Ok mates, after inconclusive disassembly, shorting, jumping, reassemblies, yada yada, I tried it with the kickstand up! She starts in neutral and in 1st, clutch lever in or out! I can live with this. Road test to come.,

gatdammit · Jan 25, 2021

She'll fire up in 1st with clutch disengaged?! Yikes. That's putting a lot of faith in the Neutral indicator...
There have been considerable side stand switch issues preventing start up. Clean up the sensor real good?

RennyRacer · Jan 25, 2021

gatdammit said:
She'll fire up in 1st with clutch disengaged?! Yikes. That's putting a lot of faith in the Neutral indicator...
There have been considerable side stand switch issues preventing start up. Clean up the sensor real good?

Have done nothing with the gear position sensor. A clue as to where and how to check or adjust?

gatdammit · Jan 26, 2021

It's the side stand sensor that prevents gear engagement if it's open. You can see large wire loom leading to the side stand pivot area. Gets pretty gunked up with road grime. I guess I clean my bike too much as I've never had an issue

RennyRacer · Jan 26, 2021

gatdammit said:
It's the side stand sensor that prevents gear engagement if it's open. You can see large wire loom leading to the side stand pivot area. Gets pretty gunked up with road grime. I guess I clean my bike too much as I've never had an issue

I’ve even through that whole exercise. Disassembled, reassembled. Everything clean.

N4teTheGreat · Jan 26, 2021

Gear position sensor shouldn't matter (I don't think). Mine was going bad on the 939 (should have gotten it replaced under warranty, but I was lazy). Bike could be in neutral but show being in 1 or 2 and that wouldn't stop it from running. I generally started it in neutral, and it was always easy to find N when the bike was cold, sensor started crapping out when things warmed up. Only time it wouldn't start with the clutch pulled in for me was when the clutch lever switch wasn't working with my lever, but that's easy to confirm as you'll hit redline at 8.5k if the bike thinks the clutch is pulled in.

RennyRacer · Jan 26, 2021

N4teTheGreat said:
Gear position sensor shouldn't matter (I don't think). Mine was going bad on the 939 (should have gotten it replaced under warranty, but I was lazy). Bike could be in neutral but show being in 1 or 2 and that wouldn't stop it from running. I generally started it in neutral, and it was always easy to find N when the bike was cold, sensor started crapping out when things warmed up. Only time it wouldn't start with the clutch pulled in for me was when the clutch lever switch wasn't working with my lever, but that's easy to confirm as you'll hit redline at 8.5k if the bike thinks the clutch is pulled in.

Once I get her out in the dry I’ll see if any antics persist.

RennyRacer · Jan 29, 2021

RennyRacer said:
Once I get her out in the dry I’ll see if any antics persist.

Ok, the break in the rain gave me a shot at wringing her out today. Actually, more like a tiptoe up to the Walmart lot. My tampering with the clutch switch circuit let me go like normal, just remember not to hit the starter while in gear! Getting the find neutral technique working quite well (thanks to Strada brothers on this site). Plus only one missed down shift.
The bad: from the get go up-to operating temp the motor was acting the same erratic way when I had gone 100plus miles previously. This time, full tank, gas cap removed and replaced to eliminate pressure build up possibility, Erratic throttle response in both Sport, and Touring mode. Very annoying and distracting response. At the point where I’m ready to say arrivederci!

nickwst4 · Jan 30, 2021

Hi Renny,

Sorry to hear that you are at the end of your tether on your bike. Not that it helps you now, but did you have any idea of the history of the machine? Seems I was lucky to get my 821 'Strada from its first owner who had successfully toured two-up on it and fancied a return to big old Jap iron. How he coped with the suicide clutch action I don't know, but most of the mods since I've had it have been in the way of refinement, rather than problem-solving. I just hope that will continue when the riding season resumes, and I'll get the chance to enjoy the work on the starter motor and coil-sticks done in the last few months. There are few bikes in my garage that excite me as much as the HS!

Side stand antics

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