neutral light/switch comes & goes on my 85 VF500

Rode the 500 a bit today. Noticed that the neutral light on the dash (and therefore the disable switch) is working about 50% of the time. The fuse is good, and the light/bulb works fine, it's just that very often when I'm in neutral (rear wheel spins freely) I don't get the neutral light on the dash and I have to pull in the clutch lever to start it.

Then, I ride a bit and @ the next light I find neutral and get the light and all is well.

My OEM manual tells me to find the pulse generator connector, which I THINK is the black one at the top of the column of connectors under the left side cover. I R&R'ed it with some WD-40 even though I found no corrosion.

Any other ideas? Easy fix?

 

I am having the same problem with mine and started this thread awhile back, I have yet to fix mine due to being away from it at school :'( ... but there is some useful information on this thread.
http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/28622-neutral-light-problems.html
let me know what fixes yours when you get it done cuz I will be having to fix mine soon!

 

Will do. I saw one post which recommended removing the neutral switch from the engine and checking/cleaning it. Any idea where this is located and what it looks like? Sounds easy to try...

 

I think that it is accessable from the right side of the engine, take off the cover then it should be towards the back around the gearshift drum.
Here is a diagram off of bikebandit.com, the switch is $14.33 new off of the site. The part number is #27.
GEARSHIFT DRUM - 1986 Honda VF500F

There might be an easier way to get to it but I am not sure of it, someone with more expierience might have more advice

 

Since this post, I've ridden the bike a lot more. Like every day just about. Put about 300-400 miles on it since this post.

And the neutral light has worked flawlessly since then, and I did nothing to fix it. Might be that running it worked out the contact issues. No idea. All I know is it's OK now. Will post back here if that changes.

 

Thanks for the update!! I guess I really just need to get out and ride it!!! haha see you on the road!