2005 Shadow Sabre starter switch

[Amdonim]

I rode my bike home about 40 miles today. It sat for a few hours outside, like usual. I came out to move it so I could move the lawn and the switch was stuck, as in it wouldn't go in easily. I pushed a little harder and it gave, but then stuck in. The starter didn't turn. I used some pliers to pull the switch back out. Also, the headlight is now permanently off (it turns the headlight off when starting). I have no clue what's wrong, but I'm supposed to be moving in to my new place tomorrow and I'm basically in deep "poo poo" atm.

[BuzZz]

First off.... your moving. Why the hell are cutting the lawn?

Sounds like the starter switch is stuck, either from a hunka crud or corrosion. Best bet is too disassemble the switch housing and clean the switch up. Right now it sounds stuck in the activated position.

You may have a short as well and have a blowed up fuse. Might wanna check them too.

[Amdonim]

Okay, well I can't get the screws out of that housing without stripping them. I don't have the tools to really deal with this at my mom's house, so I guess it's off the shop in the am. Hopefully they can get this done in one day.

[coffee_brake]

Dude get some good tools. Can't own a motorcycle more than a year old and not have either good tools or a pile of money in the bank.

Craftsman is the very best tool you can get affordably, IMO. I won't get less.

If it's already stripped, you may yet save the day with a hand-help impact. Does wonders and doesn't cost much. Just make sure whatever screwdriver or bit you use fills up the screw slot, and doesn't leave a big gap at each of the four edges.

Investing in good tools now, and learning how to use them, will save you shop bills later.

[Amdonim]

Switch is bad, gotta order a new one. It's gonna take a week or so to get it. I was wondering if I could get away with manually jumping the starter to the battery. Would that cause the starter any damage?

[FL_Shadow750]

I had an ignition issue with my Suzuki once, and before I figured it out, I made a short jumper and crossed the two terminals on the solenoid. That will engage the starter only as long as you make contact. Break the circuit once the engine starts. That is, in effect, what the starter switch does by closing the circuit when you press the button. MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN NEUTRAL, this bypasses all safety switches (clutch, sidestand)
After I got it home, I tested the system and found it was a shorted out clutch safety switch, so I bypassed it.

[Johnj]

After I got it home, I tested the system and found it was a shorted out clutch safety switch, so I bypassed it.

[FL_Shadow750]

Can't run into the dealership and pick up a clutch lever and the little switch built into it on a 24 year old bike, so I found the wires, traced them to the headlight, and spliced them together. Ironically, The new bike starts w/o pulling the clutch in, too.