Clutch Lever Headache

[JohnMoffat]

I'm hoping someone can help me. Yesterday I installed new clutch lever on my 2011 SE Bonneville. Now the bike won't start. I've tried depressing the cut-off button with a screw driver but still nothing, not even a clunk. The battery is fine. Would you have any idea what's happened here? I'd appreciate any advice.

 

[Village Idiot]

It's a simple enough job to put the old lever back on and see if it starts, then. That way, you can isolate the problem. Just to play the "devil's advocate" you didn't knock it into gear while you were working on it......it won't start that way with the sidestand down.
Hope this helps: Jim

 

[JohnMoffat]

No, I've covered all those angles and still no joy, but thanks anyway.

 

[SarahP]

And umm, not familiar with your model, but did you check the battery voltage? I know that even though the noises and lights come on when you turn the key, the batt voltage might still be too low to actually turn the engine over.

Let is know what you find out, ultimately. Good luck!

 

[JohnMoffat]

Thanks for your interest, but I've solved the problem which, commonly, was a very simple one. It was this: a new clutch lever doesn't come with a small, plastic bush. One has to remove the bush from the old lever and install it in the new one. But like a numbskull I wasn't aware of this because I'd thrown the old one away. It's the bush that depresses the cut-off button. But the mystery remains of why, when I depressed the button with a screw driver, the bike still wouldn't start. Oh well, at least I've leaned an important lesson: not to throw an old part away before having the new part successfully installed. I hope this may be of help to anyone who might one day find themselves in the same situation.

 

[SarahP]

Thanks for your interest, but I've solved the problem which, commonly, was a very simple one. It was this: a new clutch lever doesn't come with a small, plastic bush. One has to remove the bush from the old lever and install it in the new one. But like a numbskull I wasn't aware of this because I'd thrown the old one away. It's the bush that depresses the cut-off button. But the mystery remains of why, when I depressed the button with a screw driver, the bike still wouldn't start. Oh well, at least I've leaned an important lesson: not to throw an old part away before having the new part successfully installed. I hope this may be of help to anyone who might one day find themselves in the same situation.

Hey, John, congrats on learning some new info, and thank you for sharing it with people like me who are still learning!

Did you have to order the bushing separately, or did you go dumpster-diving?

 

[Rocky]

Sometimes it's the dumbest thing isn't it.
A good lesson for all of us. Thanks for the thread