'86 not starting in gear...

My owner's manual says I should be able to start the bike in gear, but I can't. What gives? Oh, also, the other day I was driving great and stopped when I got where I was going. Then I started back up an hour later, and wasn't getting fuel. I could only idle with the choke, and had no power. I hobbled a little down the road, and finally died. I kept trying to start, and could sometimes idle, then it would die. My battery died trying to start over and over, and I had to pop start it. After a few more times, it was back to normal, and I haven't had any problems. As it was about 95 degrees out, I figure maybe I had a vapor lock? Does this happen often, maybe I will call the gas station and see if there was alcohol in the fuel...

 

the electrical starting problem is most likely a bad switch under clutch handle; test it by pulling off the 2 wires and touching them together while starting in gear....don't forget to pull in the clutch!!

IF your hot bike sits in the sun significent amounts of fuel can evaporate from the carbs, requiring slightly longer than usual to start because the low fuel level in carbs needs to be refilled by the fuel pump.