Stop pulling the clutch in to start the bike

Little tip. I got fed up of having to pull the clutch in to start the bike (which usually involves putting your lid down on the wet pavement) so I've devised a way of getting round it.

Take some stiff (and electrically conducting) wire about 1mm in diameter (sorry - not an electrician so don't know by wire gauges) and shape it into what looks like an extended staple. Then bend the top 3 or 4mm over to one side so that you've got a 3D L shape. Then locate the small electrical connector just under the clutch lever. Push the two ends of your 'staple' into the back of the connector so that it shorts out the connection. If you've shaped the wire right you'll find it will slot right in next to the wires and will stay there. No need to to tape it in, no need to cut wires of do any soldering.

Lovely jubbly....

Hmm, I still like to have both hands on the bars when I start it.

Why do you have to put your lid down?

1) Put arm through lid (requires visor to be open).

2) Put lid on head (Pizza delivery / scooterist style of you fancy looking Kool).

3) Stick lid on mirror.

4) Make use of the Helmet hook thingy under the seat

Each to their own. I usually start the bike before I get on it so that it has a moment or two to warm up whilst I get get my lid on. No other bike I've had has this 'feature' so I wasn't used to it.

Or maybe 20 years on a bike makes one complacent??

The other thing is that I park my bike very close to the wall at work and I've pranged my lid on the wall a couple of times whilst leaning over to pull the clutch.

Anyway, why should you need to pull the clutch in? I always check it's in neutral before starting anyway.

Originally Posted by thor

Hmm, I still like to have both hands on the bars when I start it.

Why?

Yup I did this almost two years ago. The main reason was that I use two fingers only for the clutch and the other fingers are curled round the grip (I've adjusted it so the bite works this way) and if the bike stalled in traffic the clutch inhibitor switch wouldn't allow a restart without the clutch lever being pulled in all the way to the bar, which meant that I had to clumsily reposition my hands which, apart from being awkward, took valuable and dangerous time.

Now I'm more than happy. So simple to do and I also like the strange look on other riders' faces when I can start the bike from cold with a quick stab of the button. "Oh, on your bike you have to pull in your clutch to start it? Really?"


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In case it's in gear! I always park in gear when it's hilly, and I usually start it when I am sitting on it. Pulling the clutch in means I don't have to change it out of first start and then put it back in to go.

Originally Posted by mastiffmat

I usually start the bike before I get on it

So do I, and usually before I have my lid on aswell. I use the arm through lid method or the wing mirror.

I'm not arguing over your little mod, infact some will find it helpful probably, just discussing options.

Even before I had the SV I used to pull the clutch in when starting the bike, just as a precaution, I don't trust little green lights.

Originally Posted by thor

In case it's in gear! I always park in gear when it's hilly, and I usually start it when I am sitting on it. Pulling the clutch in means I don't have to change it out of first start and then put it back in to go.

Ahh, I was assuming you were off the bike when starting.