clutch lever "plastic spring pin"

gt_turbo · May 14th, 2011, 04:16 PM

so i lubed my clutch cable today, but i accidentally broke off the plastic spring pin that the clutch lever is supposed push in. see the pics below courtesy of kkim. what exactly does this pin do? i took the bike out for a ride and everything was fine so should i be worried?

kkim · May 14th, 2011, 04:21 PM

I believe that's part of the clutch switch that prevents starting of the bike while in gear with the side stand down.

try it... put the bike up on a rear stand, put it in gear and try starting the bike with the sidestand down. it shouldn't start with the clutch lever out, but should with the clutch lever pulled in. does it?

gt_turbo · May 14th, 2011, 04:47 PM

tried it, no start when kickstand down, 1st gear, and clutch lever pulled in. also no start when kickstand down, 1st gear, and clutch lever left untouched. i thought that anytime the kickstand was down and the bike in gear you couldn't start the bike at all. only when bike is neutral with kickstand down can you start the bike. is that right? not that it matters but whew, i thought i broke something really important. good to know its not too big of deal. thanks kkim.

bdavison · May 14th, 2011, 04:48 PM

Um...if its broke, and he trys to start it in gear....get ready for a jolt.

It keeps you from starting it in gear with the clutch out....kickstand up i think...

kkim · May 14th, 2011, 04:51 PM

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Checkin..._safety_switch

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Cleanin..._clutch_switch

kkim · May 14th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

Um...if its broke, and he trys to start it in gear....get ready for a jolt.

It keeps you from starting it in gear with the clutch out....kickstand up i think...

which is why I advised him to put it up on a rear stand, first.

gt_turbo · May 14th, 2011, 04:55 PM

i think i figured it out. with the pin broken, the safety switch that checks if you have the clutch pulled in when in gear and kickstand up no longer works. just tried it out and it starts up when you have the kickstand up, 1st gear, and clutch not pulled in. so with the pin broke the safety sensor is always off now. no problem for me, as i have made it a habit to always pull in the clutch before starting it up just incase it is in gear. can never trust that neutral light.

CZroe · September 5th, 2011, 04:08 PM

Umm, it's "no problem" because it now will not start unless it's in neutral, in which case it doesn't matter if you pull the clutch or not.

I'm having the same problem after a drop on the right side. I need to follow it because nothing should be wrong there.

Alex · September 5th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Umm, it's "no problem" because it now will not start unless it's in neutral, in which case it doesn't matter if you pull the clutch or not.

Actually, it's the opposite. The pin senses when the clutch lever is pulled, and when the pin breaks, it thinks the clutch lever is always pulled. So the bike will start when it is in neutral, but it will also now spin the starter motor when you are in gear and clutch isn't in; that's the problem.

CZroe · September 5th, 2011, 04:21 PM

Then why is mine unable to start except in neutral? It doesn't even try.

Alex · September 5th, 2011, 04:23 PM

Then your pin is stuck in, not broken. Jiggle it. The most common problem is the plastic breaks so switch always looks like the lever is pulled. If it's stuck in, and doesn't come out at all when the lever is pulled, then it will behave like you're experiencing (the bike doesn't ever know the lever is pulled).

CZroe · September 5th, 2011, 04:38 PM

I'll have to see when I get home. Thanks. My understanding is that if it were stuck "in" then it would be as if I were holding the lever in. Instead, it's as if I am NOT holding the lever in.

Alex · September 5th, 2011, 04:42 PM

Your understanding is opposite to how it works.

Check it out when you're looking at it, it will become immediately clear, I promise.

eds2fitty · September 5th, 2011, 06:38 PM

Sorry to bring this thread back up but i too broke that pin and now my clutch lever is more loose than usual... Anything i can do about that?

gt_turbo · September 5th, 2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eds2fitty

Sorry to bring this thread back up but i too broke that pin and now my clutch lever is more loose than usual... Anything i can do about that?

the pin does not have anything to do with lever being loose. i have a china shorty lever and its also very loose. some people say you can find a nylon washer @ a hardware store and put it between the bolt that holds the lever on. that should help with the loose lever.

CZroe · September 5th, 2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eds2fitty

Sorry to bring this thread back up but i too broke that pin and now my clutch lever is more loose than usual... Anything i can do about that?

Why? Like most forums, we actually prefer to continue conversations in existing threads rather than making new ones for previously discussed topics.

Momaru · September 6th, 2011, 07:00 PM

In case ya wanted to see inside that switch, here's a link to a related thread and the related wiki on ninja250.org

September 5th, 2011, 04:08 PM	#8
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Umm, it's "no problem" because it now will not start unless it's in neutral, in which case it doesn't matter if you pull the clutch or not. I'm having the same problem after a drop on the right side. I need to follow it because nothing should be wrong there. Last futzed with by CZroe; September 5th, 2011 at 05:29 PM.

September 5th, 2011, 04:21 PM	#10
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Then why is mine unable to start except in neutral? It doesn't even try. Last futzed with by CZroe; September 5th, 2011 at 05:29 PM.

September 5th, 2011, 04:23 PM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Then your pin is stuck in, not broken. Jiggle it. The most common problem is the plastic breaks so switch always looks like the lever is pulled. If it's stuck in, and doesn't come out at all when the lever is pulled, then it will behave like you're experiencing (the bike doesn't ever know the lever is pulled). __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 5th, 2011, 04:42 PM	#13
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Your understanding is opposite to how it works. Check it out when you're looking at it, it will become immediately clear, I promise. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 6th, 2011, 07:00 PM	#17
Momaru ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: Roanoke, VA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.	In case ya wanted to see inside that switch, here's a link to a related thread and the related wiki on ninja250.org __________________________________________________ Proud member of the Blue Army

May 14th, 2011, 04:21 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I believe that's part of the clutch switch that prevents starting of the bike while in gear with the side stand down. try it... put the bike up on a rear stand, put it in gear and try starting the bike with the sidestand down. it shouldn't start with the clutch lever out, but should with the clutch lever pulled in. does it?

May 14th, 2011, 04:47 PM	#3
gt_turbo ninjette.org sage Name: L Location: WI Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R, '13 CBR500R Posts: 709	tried it, no start when kickstand down, 1st gear, and clutch lever pulled in. also no start when kickstand down, 1st gear, and clutch lever left untouched. i thought that anytime the kickstand was down and the bike in gear you couldn't start the bike at all. only when bike is neutral with kickstand down can you start the bike. is that right? not that it matters but whew, i thought i broke something really important. good to know its not too big of deal. thanks kkim.

May 14th, 2011, 04:48 PM	#4
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Um...if its broke, and he trys to start it in gear....get ready for a jolt. It keeps you from starting it in gear with the clutch out....kickstand up i think...

May 14th, 2011, 04:51 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Checkin..._safety_switch http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Cleanin..._clutch_switch

May 14th, 2011, 04:55 PM	#7
gt_turbo ninjette.org sage Name: L Location: WI Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R, '13 CBR500R Posts: 709	i think i figured it out. with the pin broken, the safety switch that checks if you have the clutch pulled in when in gear and kickstand up no longer works. just tried it out and it starts up when you have the kickstand up, 1st gear, and clutch not pulled in. so with the pin broke the safety sensor is always off now. no problem for me, as i have made it a habit to always pull in the clutch before starting it up just incase it is in gear. can never trust that neutral light.

September 5th, 2011, 04:38 PM	#12
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I'll have to see when I get home. Thanks. My understanding is that if it were stuck "in" then it would be as if I were holding the lever in. Instead, it's as if I am NOT holding the lever in.

September 5th, 2011, 06:38 PM	#14
eds2fitty ninjette.org member Name: Ed Location: Bay Area Cali Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R SE Posts: 63	Sorry to bring this thread back up but i too broke that pin and now my clutch lever is more loose than usual... Anything i can do about that?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcycle-usa.com] - New Docuseries "The Bikers" Spring 2015	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	March 4th, 2014 09:20 AM
[roadracingworld.com] - Suzuki Announces "Shift Into Spring" Sales Promotion	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	March 8th, 2013 03:30 PM
[topix.net] - "The Fonz", "Ralph Malph" & "Potsie" are giving away Fonzie's motorcycl	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 16th, 2012 04:30 PM