Captain 80s

It seems to me that the only way this is possible is that your clutch diode AND your clutch lever switch (on the clutch master cylinder, left handlebar) are bad. Or possibly the wiring for the Clutch Lever Switch is suspect if you have jumped the wired connectors. But it is early and I am only half way thru my coffee. Paging Mr. Grum to the Red Courtesy Phone.

{cough, cough, sniffle}

Fixed it for ya.

Hmmm... let's see what I got. Ahhh, a battery bolt and an Elf nipple pastie. Done and done.

Finally got 30 years of chain lube / road grime off the chain guard. Removed the tab for the chain wear sticker and radiused and blended some nicked edges. Restored and installed.

Looks like a pretty good starting point! At least from the left...

Ok. Keep on keepin on.. You'll get it. It is possible the battery is so bad that it's not letting enough "juice" thru.

"dimmer", but not cut all the way? Also, just for giggles, have you jumped to a car battery (not running) and tried to start? I know, I know, you're gonna say the battery is just fine. But have you tried?

I am assuming you have checked all fuses already. Does your headlight go out when you press the Start Button? The Clutch Diode should be on the main wire harness, right side, above the coil for the Right Rear Cylinder.

You have more problems than a neutral light / switch then. Bypass the sidestand switch to eliminate that possibility. Not just unplug it, you have to jump 2 wires on the harness side connector. Just did my 92, but can't remember what 2 wires off the top of my head. Refer to the wire diagram. Does your sidestand switch light function on the dash at this time? Bypass the clutch switch on the clutch master cylinder to eliminate that, but be sure the bike rolls in neutral before any subsequent start attempts. Sounds like the clutch diode on the wire harness has failed and is possibly what you are referring to in your first post you read about. Can't remember exactly where I noticed it was located on my 92 recently, but it is not located under the carbs, I know that. Likely on the right side near the coil, to perhaps the rear tank mount area. It is possible that every function got fried somehow, but is unlikely. I'm pretty sure there's a combo that will still allow the bike to start even with a bad diode. Bike doesn't think sidestand is down and believes the clutch lever is pulled in. There are people here way better at walking thru diagnosing electrical problems than me. Well, at least better at explaining it and the logic. But eliminate the suspects until it starts and then start re-introducing them until it doesn't. Guess that's all I got right now.

Ooooof. Sad, sad news. Positive thoughts going out to his family and friends now, he seemed to be a genuine, smart fellow.

Does the bike start with the side stand up and the clutch pulled in? Does it stay running when then put into gear? There is no relay/switch under the carbs. You say the neutral switch "seems to be working". That is not very definitive. It either is working or not, and can be tested to find out. How did you test it?

That is what I have found as well. 5.5" rear wheel swap on a couple of.my VF1000. So, had to have at least a 170 because of the wheel size (and I wanted 60 series side wall) and it needed to be around 170 actual for chain clearance. Pirelli... 168. Avon... 179. That one has some chain marks on the edge and I knew it eventually would.

Beauty Oct 1 here in the Pacific NorthWest

Many times hanging throttle is a lean condition on idle circuit. Try turning the pilot screws out a half turn and see if it changes at all.

Sounding and looking good! Great job so far.

Hah! I actually contemplated what color, and I chose red for those reasons. White would be for the general public.

Cool. Always an option, thanks! Gonna give my possibility a little more time to pan out. It will be WAY cheaper than that is after shipping.

That's good to hear. My suspension guy who I have known since college, retired for family medical reasons and said he's the guy. He was more of a vintage / evolution off-road specialist, but knew his shit on these types of shocks. So when I looked at Thor Lawson's stuff, I knew it was the right choice for a lot of my needs. My Father-in-law told me this years ago: Good / Fast / Cheap... pick any two. Sometimes these days you settle for just the one that matters... Good. Cheers dude.

Fuck. I gotta get the Fox for the 92 out. Killer

That's about the quality (and quantity) I expected. But the line for the courtesy phone is fucking long and people are pissed. My one comment is in agreement... Starts soaking EVERYTHING now in penetrating fluid. Often and liberal. Maybe apply a little heat now and then. And WD40 is not penetrating fluid, it smells too good.

Paging Fastdruid, paging @Fastdruid. Please pick up the red courtesy phone.

Your 89 will be different than 86/87

Woo-hoo!!!!

Cool! Not the best location for constant use, but could be nice for a charge while at a stop. Which I suppose isn't really nice cuz the bike's not on.