CLUTCH SWITCH ???

[Mikep328]

I have seen references to a "clutch switch" that locks out the starter unless the gear shifter is in neutral OR the clutch level is pulled in.  My '76 UK CB400 will engage the starter in gear with the clutch released.

 The owners manual for the bike does not mention a clutch switch BUT the electrical schematic in the same owners manual shows a clutch switch in the UK model.

Did a UK bike have a clutch switch or not???

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My  S plate UK 400 had a clutch switch.

[TrickyMicky]

Nice and easy to fit, Silvers has the genuine article in stock, about £21 ish.  You really appreciate it when you stall the bike at the head of a line of traffic.

[Mikep328]

Interesting!  I looked at the DSS listing; my '76 400 definitely does not have that switch so I assume in its past life the switch was removed.  Thanks!!

[exvalvesetdabbler]

You will need the diode as well that's mounted near the voltage regulator.

Regards
Dave

[Athame57]

When I first got my CB400F2 seven years ago I didn't know the starter clutch existed and it took a few years for me to find out. I thought it was simply like my Suzuki RG500 Gammas were, that  they start in neutral only. However I explored the reason for that hole the electric cable plugs into and learned all about it on this forum. 
I got a cable from DSS and had it fitted for me. 

[Athame57]

By the way, messed up my first cable trying to fit it myself by jamming it in the said hole.  You should take the clutch lever off and thread it in from the inside.

[Bryanj]

The clutch switch is same as front brake light switch on drum braked 125, it fits into a hole in the mounting after you remove the lever blade pushing in from lever side

[Mikep328]

Haven't decided whether to buy/install the switch.  TBH, I can't see that I need it.  It prevents accidentally engaging the starter/bike lurching forward while in gear/clutch engaged but I have never had a problem with that.  It's automatic for me to pull in the clutch/hit start if I stall the bike since I learned on bikes before clutch or kickstand interlocks existed.

OTOH, I like things to work as they were designed to work so that part of me wants the switch in place/functioning correctly.  Not sure which of my multiple personalities will gain the upper hand...

[TrickyMicky]

If your bike is wired correctly, the starter will not work unless the neutral light is on. so disengaging the clutch will have no effect without the switch.  A possible real situation being, sitting in traffic, engage 1st gear, change feet so rear brake is covered as you pull away, and you stall it.  As it's your left foot that is in the ground the bike will naturally lean to the left. Push bike upright, change feet, fumble for neutral as you are trying to rush it, start engine, engage 1st and then pull away. All this with the average impatient drivers behind you.  Remove the clutch lever, one bolt, feed wires through the hole and into the hole in the headlamp shell, and connect to the two wires which should be already waiting for you. Refit clutch lever, job done. Stall engine.pull in clutch lever, hit the starter and carry on regardless. Have fun.
 hit

[Mikep328]

"If your bike is wired correctly, the starter will not work unless the neutral light is on. so disengaging the clutch will have no effect without the switch."

Hmmm.  I guess a previous owner must have disconnected/rewired it since the bike will start in gear with clutch engaged (lever out).  Interesting to me that the owners manual says nothing about that.  I would expect there to be a statement something like, "Motorcycle must be in neutral or have clutch disengaged for starter to operate." Was that switch on all years of the CB400F?  Wondering if maybe it was added later than '76?

If not a previous owner must have bypassed both the clutch switch and the neutral switch.

[Mikep328]

Turns out...nobody disconnected nuthin'!   I was wrong when I said there was no clutch switch.  I  assumed there was no clutch switch because the function wasn't present.  But the switch was (is)!

The bike had probably sat so long in a previous life that the little plunger in the switch had seized in the closed position. A shot of WD40 released it and now it works as intended.  Nice when a "fix" is so simple! 

[Athame57]

Nice when a "fix" is so simple! 

Reminds me of when I could't select first gear for a few weeks. Workshop suggested different oil, and then wanted to pull bike apart.  In the end I had a hunch and repositioned gear change lever, bingo, it was cured!
Meanwhile workshop went out of business and new management is there now.   

[Aye Gee 1977]

If the plunger was stuck home, the electric starter should not operate when in gear.
I recently took the switch apart on the F2 I bought new on 1977.  The contacts were corroded and I spent a happy half day trying to make and fit new ones.  In the end I bought a repro from DSS.  The old one is in the maybe box, in case I forget how frustrating it was trying to fix it.

[Oddjob]

Don’t forget the switch will only sit properly in the handlebar switch when it’s oriented correctly. It has a small prong which sits in a groove in the switchgear.