1985 Yamaha 700 Maxim dies when put into gear

[jerryphillips]

Bike cranks and runs fine when in neutral. It dies immediately when I put it into gear. Is this a clutch problem or a fuel problem? It has only been cranked a few times over the winter. Thanks in advance. Jerry

[Sev]

Is the kickstand down?

Most bikes kill the engine if the kickstand is down and you put it in gear.

[jerryphillips]

I checked the kick stand and the small switch. The switch was sticking. I pulled the small plunger out and sure enough the bike was fixed. I pulled the rubber boot off the switch and greased the plunger up. It now works just fine. I had already called the local Yamaha Dealer and they were going to send a truck out Tuesday to pick up the bike. You were smarter than the dealership and you saved me a lot of $$$! Thanks a million!!!

[Sev]

I ran into that a couple of times in the MSF, so it stuck in my head.

My friend has a bike where someone bypassed that completely and I've had to remind him more then once that he shouldn't be riding off with the kickstand down.

[storysunfolding]

I ran into that a couple of times in the MSF, so it stuck in my head.

My friend has a bike where someone bypassed that completely and I've had to remind him more then once that he shouldn't be riding off with the kickstand down.

I had to cut the switch out of my circuit. The relay went and the switch was going bad. Didn't feel like replacing it. I do think it was a horrible idea though, I really don't like the feel of having hte kickstand down, and the bike running.

[flynrider]

When I started riding you could put a bike in gear with the kickstand down, and you could also start it in gear without the clutch pulled in. I'm all for safety, but I've seen too many riders stranded when these little switches failed. When the switches die on my bike, they're getting bypassed.

I once broke a clutch cable while riding home from work. The only way to start from a traffic light was to have the bike in 1st gear and hit the starter while pushing forward with both feet. It probably wasn't good for the starter, but it actually worked to get me home

[storysunfolding]

I'm all for safety, but I've seen too many riders stranded when these little switches failed. When the switches die on my bike, they're getting bypassed.

Stupid stupid relays. But you're never stranded when you have a pocket knife, and duct tape. Rip off the relay, throw it over your shoulder, curse Yamaha and tape the two wires together. Of course when you do it in the hot sun and you put just a bit too much gas in the tank because you thought you'd be riding and the wind would cool it off...

Thank god I haven't gone back to finish painting it yet.