Bypassing the starter inhibitor? gen5 VFR800

G'day,
I have an oldish (97,000km) Gen 5 1998 VFR800 Fi that I've had many years of reliable service from, but it's recently started misbehaving (yes, the RR has been upgraded!). When it's over about 60 degrees C (engine) the neutral light doesn't come on when in neutral, and the starter won't work. There's a rattling noise which suggests that some sensor isn't working quite right. I'm between jobs at the moment and am looking for a cheap temporary fix, if I can somehow bypass the starter inhibitor it will mean I can start if it stalls (rare!) or if I have to stop somewhere and wait for less than 20 minutes or so.

Can anyone here suggest if it's a common problem and if it's an easy fix I can do myself? I worked as a car mechanic as a kid, and can do basics like replace chain & sprockets, oil & filter etc .. but am not confidant that I'd be able to crack the case and put it back together! I'd be happy as a hack fix to just disable the ignition cutout so I can start it when hot (I know it's in neutral!), which may be just a cut of a wire or joining two wires, but I don't have a wiring diagram to know where to do it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Well, it sounds like you have a bad neutral switch. Can you start the bike by rolling it off and dumping the clutch? Will it start with the clutch pulled in? It should start in gear with the clutch pulled in, unless that switch is bad also. I guess you could bi-pass it, but the N light would be on all the time and could melt the light and the green lens on your dash since it would be on all the time. I'd invest a few bucks in a new switch and a service manual. Check out www.mrcycles.com They have a great website to find a complete breakdown of your bike and the prices of all the parts.

 

yes, it rollstarts ok (I can refuel, but like a service station on top of a hill!), and I have the hayes VFR manual on order, but won't get it 'til March. I don't mind removing the neutral lamp if necessary as a short term fix.

 

Sorry, I didn't notice you were outside of the states. You might not be able to order parts from the link I sent, but it will give you a complete parts breakdown of your bike. It should still start with the starter with the clutch pulled in. I might try to bi-pass the clutch switch first. It wouldn't cause the problem with the N light. I don't have a VFR of your year, but most clutch switches are under the lever, which is easy to get to, and easy to bi-pass. This way you could start the bike whether the bike is in gear or not, unless you have a problem with the starter itself.

 

I replaced the neutral switch yesterday ($25 AUD at the local Honda dealer, and about 2 minutes with a 14mm socket) and all is well.

Thankyou!

 

Glad I could help.