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[Thack]

Norm, I've ridden a few modern Japanese bikes (only a few) and they were the same. It'd be interesting to hear which bikes Papasmurf tells us about. Maybe it's one particular make, or something.

[papasmurf]

Thack, it is a UK specification, for some years now, but most of the donkeys ears incidents I have seen have been "Born Agains" on plastic missile Triumphs.

My Electra X(ish) was assembled in Britain, and if you don't pull the clutch in and have the side stand up it will not start on the electric starter because there is no spark. That does not apply to the kick-start for obvious reasons.

[PeteF]

Interesting, I've had experience of several modern-ish Hondas and none have required me to pull the clutch to start unless it's in gear.

[Thack]

Hooray! Good for papasmurf!



I've just downloaded the Triumph 675 Daytona handbook and it says the following:



"For the starter to operate, the clutch lever must be pulled to the handlebar. Even if the clutch lever is pulled to the handlebar, the starter will not operate if the side stand is down and a gear is engaged."



However, this is NOT a UK specification, though. I've just downloaded the Yamaha XJ6S manual and that uses the same system used on our Bullets (i.e. neutral, OR in gear with clutch in). The latest Kawasaki Versys also uses that system.



It looks to me like it is a Triumph-only oddity.



Papasmurf: if you RE behaves like the Triumph, then it's wired up wrong. In particular, it must be impossible to kickstart for the reasons stated earlier.

[Mr Grumpy]

Hi Thack my 1200 Bandit requires the clutch to be pulled to start in even in neutral or it wont turn over I think the 600s are the same. Kev

[Thack]

Thanks, Mr Grumpy. So it's more than just Triumph, but it doesn't seem to be a mandatory standard, either. Interesting!

[Thack]

Sorry, I meant to say that I'm still puzzled by papasmurf's comments about his own bike, though, saying that it needs the clutch pulled in before it will start. This definitely isn't how our Bullets are normally wired, and I don't see how he could kickstart it if it needs the clutch pulling in to fire up.

[Mr Grumpy]

Hi Thack it may be something to do with where a manufactures main sales base is although thats only a guess years ago we had a Chrysler as a works car and it had a manual gear box and you had to put in the clutch to start it. As its an American car I assume its biggest market is the USA. So this may something the US requires like the pulse air thingy fitted to my 65? Before anyone jumps on me as I said its only a guess!!!Good point about the kick start though.

[Mr Grumpy]

Interestingly the 65 has the same switch gear as a mk1/2 Bandit but electric starts fine without pulling the clutch in.

[papasmurf]

Thack it is wired so there is no spark unless the clutch us pulled in when using the electric start.
It does not effect kick starting, because you are not pressing the starter button.
(Beats head against brick wall.)