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Interceptor VF500R
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Hi, I have an 84 Honda Interceptor VF500R that was running just fine
in the fall when I winterized it to store it for the winter. After
getting it out from storage, there seams to be a problem. It starts
just fine, but when I try to shift it from neutral to first gear, it
stalls. When shifting, the clutch is pulled in, but when I shift from
neutral to first, it shifts to first but instantly stalls as if the
clutch is not engaged.
Any ideas?
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As others say, either a sidestand ignition cut-out (if fitted) that's
gone AWOL or, equally likely, given the lay-up, a clutch that needs
freeing off. Put the bike into gear, engine off, and rock it forward.
Then try. If it still conks out, it's the switch.
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Or you could ask someone who has a 500 Interceptor sitting in the driveway...
No sidestand switch.
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Heh. I'm glad I added the caveat 'if fitted'. I sold my VF500 a few
weeks ago and it had no switch, but one of those rubber sidestand
extensions (always the simplest and neatest solution, I think). I had
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Except for the fact that they DON'T WORK.
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Heh. Worked the one time I needed it to, but I can easily see a
situation in which they'd be seriously overloaded, as it were.
I remember when Kawasaki had that dreadful lock-down sidestand linked to
the clutch cable via a secondary cable. That didn't work either, after a
while. Come to think of it, I'd have three Kawasakis conk out from
sidestand switch failure as well...
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no idea whether US models had a switch or not.
Could be duff hydraulics, but I reckon it's just a good old-fashioned
sticking clutch.
bikes>
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You may need to bleed the clutch actuator system. It's hydraulic, like your
front brakes. If there's air in the system or a seal has failed, your clutch is
not releasing when you pull the lever.
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The OP's description gave me the impression that the engine *suddenly*
stopped when he released the clutch. He said that he could get the
motorcycle into gear, but he wouldn't need the clutch for that.
Possibly the problem *is* a clutch that doesn't release because of
sticky plates, or air in the hydraulic system.
The OP would likely be able to get the transmission in gear if the
motorcycle was on a centerstand or a work stand and the engine should
keep running if the carburetor's idle circuits passed enough gasoline
to carry the relatively small load of spinning the rear wheel.
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There's more to motorcycles than carburettors, tha' knows....
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But, if the idle circuits are dirty, the engine might wheeze to a stop
on fuel starvation.
I wonder what happens if he tries to put the transmission in gear when
the engine is still running on the "choke".
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Check the wiring diagram in your owners manual to see if the ignition
circuit runs through the sidestand switch.
Possibly the sidestand switch isn't making good contact.
Kawasakis and Yamahas have a weird safety interlock system that will
kill the engine if you put the tranmission in gear with the sidestand
down.
Suzuki just used the sidestand switch for a sidestand warning light.
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I'll second that this sounds like side stand behavior.
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