engine dies when shifting

Hey, I've got an 82 XJ650RJ and I am having a problem where the engine dies when I try to shift into first gear from neutral. The problem started when I replaced the mirror perch on the clutch side of the handlebars. As such, I had to take out the end of the clutch cable and the starter safety plunger. Anyway, I've tried adjusting the clutch cable many different ways but nothing seems to work.

Any ideas?

 

What did you replace it with? Stock or an aftermarket unit or something off a different bike? Is it being stalled by the clutch not releasing, or just shutting off?

Is your kickstand down, or is your kickstand switch malfunctioning, and this is just a coincidence? If the bike "thinks" the sidestand is down, it will die when you try to put it in gear.

 

Clutch safety is the problem is my guess, if you removed it..... i it's probably being detected as always in safety mode

 

Bigfitz51 - replaced perch with stock yamaha part purchased online. there was one minor difference from original part. That was the hole for the starter safety plunger, it did not accomodate the tab on the top of the plastic housing for the plunger. We just dremeled the top tab off and it fits fine.
It appears to be just shutting off.
We've tried it with kickstand up and down, going to look at that further tomorrow.

ZaGhost - we did not remove the safety - see above for what we did, but i do wonder if it's not working exactly the same as before.

Thanks to both of you. I love my Seca.

 

You can check the operation of the clutch lever switch with a meter at the other end of the line, where it plugs into the harness inside the headlight shell.

It might be WORKING now, and has just uncovered a faulty sidestand switch for you.

If you don't have a factory book, PM me with email address and I'll scan the safety circuit part for you. The 650 Seca is slighly different from the other bikes.

 

+1 for bigfitz's idea, definately sounds like a safety circuit somewhere, now comes the fun part and finding it.

 

OK, thanks bigfitz52 and ZaGhost. I am going to work on the bike sometime this week. I'll post again after we've solved the problem. Really appreciate the help.

 

Sounds like the side stand switch to me.

 

It was the side stand switch. Someone who owned it before me had actually bypassed it by using a small piece of tin foil on one end of the wiring. I guess the tin foil had worn out? Anyway, it was no problem and you all were right! Thanks a lot.