Side stand safety switch

I just tore apart the side stand to clean it, re-grease it and find out why the safety switch doesn't work. I noticed that there is nothing to activate the plunger on the safety switch. Is there suppose to be a tab or something attached to side stand?

 

I wish I could have found a better pictuer, but here is the side stand switch on my 1985 Maxim-X:

 

This is a 550, yours is probably quite similar:

 

Ah, Ha! I seem to be missing the plate that activates the plunger. On my bike there is only one spring that goes from the hook on the side stand to the pin protruding from the frame.
I'd really like to take care of this. I have forgotten and left the side stand down a couple of times.

 

I know this doesn't fix the problem here, but try making flicking the stand up the first thing you do as you sit on the bike. I do it instinctively now and my left leg kinda feels wrong if I make myself not do it for any reason.

I guess that comes from riding bikes without this feature, but useful in case the switch/circuit ever fails and you don't notice

 

You've got to understand that I'm an old man. I forgot to put it DOWN once. That was embarrassing.

 

Ohhhh right, last post was worded like you rode off with it down before, yes not much fun that, hope you didn't do too much damage :cry:

Did your bike have a side stand light then? my XJ doesn't but my 2 Hondas have a bright orange light in the speedo that comes on when the stand's down

 

According to the fiche for your bike, there is only one spring but there is also a little plate similar to what's pictured. The spring is supposed to hook to it, and the link hooks on the peg on the frame.

Link, Side Stand; Original PN 2KT-27315-00-00 superseded by 3VD-27315-00-00. Still available from Yamaha if Len doesn't have them.

Fiche: http://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oempart ... d-footrest

Sorry but the switch doesn't warn if the stand is UP. It causes the motor to shut down if you drop it in gear with the stand down. It's stopped me from riding off with it down more than once.

This is an especially good feature on these bikes because Yamaha used such a stubby little side stand. If you've got even halfway big feet, you simply can't see the thing past your foot. The geometry of the stand is such that it won't necessarily just "kick up" either; it has the capability to drop the bike if you lean into a left turn with it down.

 

Strange thing, on my bike a p/o has deliberately (no road rash on it, is tool marks though) bent the kickstand "pedal" so that it rests under the footpeg & lifts it slightly before you put your foot on & hold it down. Wonder if he did this as some sort of reminder that if the peg moved then the stand was up... strange thing to do...

 

Mute the audio, it sounds lame ass.
The others guys have it pretty well covered but I was bored and did this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylwu9PYQU5Y
Hey bmarzka I'm an "old guy" too! 8)

 

Hey, Maxim-X. You're across the lake from me. I live near Erie, PA.