xj650 Starts great but cuts out when put into gear?

I have an 1982 maxim 650 been the best bike I have had yet. I started the bike the other day after a carb cleaning and ran great. My problem is as soon as I put it into gear the darn thing cuts off. I should also mention it has been sat for a couple of months. I made sure the key was on and the cut off switch was on. I also made sure the kick stand was up and I tested the kick stand switch and that is also good. The only thing I can think of is maybe the kickstand relay is bad. I dont know where exactly it is located. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Andrew

 

I just dealt with an issue on my new bike (82 maxim 650) that sounds exactly the same. I should say that i am a complete newby so don't be offended if you already went through all these potential hangups-

First, my rear brake drum was seized up because the cam inside had fused in its slot. I soaked in penetrating oil and gas, then knocked it out and cleaned the drum.

Second, I pulled out my clutch and made sure that all the plates and other parts were free moving.

Third, my clutch was misadjusted, I tightened the cable so that it engaged when i pulled the lever.

Now my bike goes into gear and rides just fine. The whole thing was so weird because when i'd bought it two weeks before the seller had run it through all the gears and driven it into the back of my truck.

good luck!

 

Sounds like a lot of work. I really appreciate the response. I think my problem is electrical though, because even with the clutch lever depressed as soon as i hit the shifter it cuts out almost like i hit the kill switch. I will check out you suggestions tomorrow during the day light. Thanks again

 

wow... i was saying the exact same thing like two days ago. turns out my clutch sensor had gone bad so it killed it when i switched into gear because it thought i didn't have the clutched pulled in. well i just ripped the thing off and grounded the two wires and now it runs like a charm!

 

If you're wired correctly the clutch switch will have no effect on it cutting out. The clutch switch only disables the starter circuit if it's in gear and the clutch isn't pulled.

Your problem is also not a bad side stand relay. If it were stuck on it would prevent you from starting. If it were stuck off it wouldn't kill the engine.

More likely you have a problem with the side stand switch. First though put it on the center stand and make sure the rear wheel turns freely in neutral. Then leaving it on the center stand start it and see if you can put it in gear.

If it won't run in gear try pulling the side stand relay. The relay is centered, under the tank, behind the coils. Pulling it will completely disable the safety circuit. If that solves your problem you need to look into the side stand switch.

 

this is true but if you had a malfunctioning sensor it would kill the engine as if the clutch wasn't pulled in trying to put it in gear even though in actuality it is being pulled in. I'm pretty sure my bike is bone stock on wiring so i think its wired correctly.

 

Clutch switch is designed to prevent cranking with the motorcycle in gear unless the clutch is pulled. It SHOULD have no effect on the ignition system.

The motorcycle doesn't "know" you are shifting. The only sensor it has is neutral or not. You can shift all day long without pulling the clutch (although this is not recommended).

 

Just pulled the relay this afternoon and ran great even when put into gear. I guess I will have to check the connections of the side stand switch. Thanks you guys so much. Your a life saver.
Andrew

 

Upon further review of the electrical diagrams it appears that the motorcycle should run in gear with the side stand down as long as the clutch is pulled.

07spacker I suspect that's why grounding the clutch lead solved your problem. However, with the clutch lead grounded you can now start the bike in gear without pulling the clutch - not good.