Starts right up...but stalls when put in gear (ST1300)

Cheddarhead

Smell the Dairy Air!
Joined
May 14, 2007
Messages
76
Location
Pewaukee
Bike
2003 ST1300...the "O
So...I've charged the battery, checked the tires, washed the winters' dust off the ST. I'm ready for my first ride of the year...:oilleak:a shakedown ride...or so I thought.

The ST (repeatedly) stalled when I attempted to shift into 1st. Kickstand was "up". Motor was idling well...it just didn't seem as if there was enough "engagement" of the clutch to allow it to go into gear. It "would" go into 1st, with a noticeable "lurch"...then stall immediately.

Looking at the Clutch Reservoir on the LH Handlebar, it seems that there is enough Fluid in the circuit.

Any ideas what i should be looking for to trouble-shoot this? :think1:

Thanks in advance!

Cheddar
 
Whooshka said:
Check your kick stand switch and bleed your clutch line.
Click to expand...


+1

The clutch will start to feel spongy well before the brakes do. Try starting the bike in gear with the clutch disengaged (lever squeezed). If it starts to creep forward as you crank the starter then you definitely need to flush and bleed the clutch line.

If it won't even crank while in gear then either the clutch switch or side stand switch is faulty.
 
If it just cut off, then it's electrical. But, from the description, the lurch means it's mechanical; the clutch is not fully disengaging.

How easily will the bike roll with the engine off, in gear, and clutch pulled in? If it rolls easily, how much release travel stops it?
 
Should be able to start the bike in gear with the clutch pulled in if the side stand is up? Otherwise, start the engine in neutral and work the clutch handle in and out a bit before trying to shift into gear.
 
Again, it depends on the nature of the lurch. Is it a normal put-it-in-first lurch, or an oops-I-forgot-to-pull-the-clutch lurch?
 
I 'liked' @Whooshka's post because I tend to think its the side stand switch, and you gave some indication of clutch problems. AND few enough of us change brake and clutch fluid often enough, so you might as well take care of the clutch.

Easy enough to check this with a quick bypass of the side stand switch.
 
Thanks for all of the replies...I very much appreciate your support. Said it before, and I'll say it again...Motorcyclists are very helpful folks, especially within our own "Tribe".

Easy stuff first:
A. Clutch Levers are original.
B. Last significant maintenance / repair done was the replacement of the Fuel Injector Sub-Harness, which occurred last last season.

Following from that:
C. Brake / Clutch Fluid has been changed during my ownership...but it's been three years (or more...) since I did it last. When it was done, the color of the Fluid removed as dark(er). Not a dark as a Coke, but darker than a typical Ginger Ale. Currently, the Fluid visible through the sightglass on the Clutch Reservoir still looks to be clear, with just a very slight tinge to it.

Other Comments:
Based on the "feel" of the Clutch when I grab the Lever, I also believe that this is an issue where there isn't enough pressure being generated / transmitted to engage the clutch completely...thus the immediate lurch and the stall.

Larry has responded / I've sent him my contact info. I'm hoping to speak with him this afternoon...and then go looking for "stickies" on the proper procedures for Brake Fluid Flush and Fill, and for Troubleshooting the Kickstand Switch. I have a Multi-meter...but the only use I've made of it has been to check Battery Charge / Voltage.
 
Reporting in...
Had a 1:1 Consultation with the resident Dr of ST's...Larry! Over the course of a few telephone calls, he walked me through the procedure of flushing and re-filling the Hydraulic Clutch Circuit.

Results from Initial Testing are positive. The ST fired up this morning and clicked into gear with the slightest of mechanical "clicks"...just like it has thousands of times before. Road Test to follow later this afternoon.

Thanks, Larry!
 
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