Kickstand switch intermittent

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

So over the past few years occasionally my kickstand switch would act up and kill the engine. I'd play with the kickstand up and down a few times and then it would work normally. I've even drowned the thing with electrical contact cleaner and worked the side stand a dozen times or so.
But today with the TimeOut loaded up for a quick camping trip it started acting up once more. This time more so than ever, I managed to limp home and will grab a few tools and check in later with the hopes that someone will reply with clear instructions on how to remove it or simply by-pass it so!
I'll grab some small cutters, tape, and a few itty-bitty wrenches as well.
The last few miles it was normal so wish me luck, if I make it to camp I'll check back and either work on it later or early tomorrow before the heat sets in again!
Thanks !!!!!!!!!

[triton28]

The side stand when it is in the down position opens the circuit, so if you join the 2 wires going to the side stand the circuit will be permanently closed. You shouldn't have any more problems.
Dave

[Mr Jensee]

If you do I would suspect a partially or completely severed wire in the circuit that is making momentary contact.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

triton28 Thank You! As it turns out after posting the plea we (me and my lovely wife) gathered up more than enough small tools (micro wrenches, cutters, needle nose plyers, and such) only to find that the bike just wasn't going to cooperate. So we unhitched the Time-Out camper from the bike and put it on the Mazda Tribute.
One way or another we were going camping!
Got to the campground (no reservations since it was mid-week), got a site and set up. Ate some supper and then hit the pool, stayed in the pool till 9:30 (shhh pool closed at 8:30 but the owners are pretty neat old folks) and then watched a DVD and hit the bed. Woke up today had some breakfast and went for a short ride to get a few items we had planned on last trip. Well it started raining and didn't stop, 5 hours later we decided that it was time to throw in the towel - pack up in the rain and head for home.
Wife kept saying "it was a sign, we just should have stayed home and fixed the bike!"
I hope to get to it tomorrow if not I can't touch it till Sunday or Monday as our weekend is booked with the kids and they always come first. ALWAY put family first.
Michael, I would have to agree with you since it is intermittent. I could try to swap out the switch but I think I'd just as well by-pass it and get it over.
Again thanks to everyone who read and those who offered suggestions. We can always rely on our AVA family.

[triton28]

I'm sure you will get it solved. Enjoy the kids.
Dave

[krasmu]

My stand spring broke while on a trip last year and I had to tie it up and use the center stand. while I had it apart to fix it, I was able to inspect the switch. It is a typical curcuit that can be bypassed very simply as stated. Good luck.

[trikebldr]

Until my '83 Voyager 1300 I never had a bike with an idiot switch on the side stand! Never had any problems leaving the stand down! IMO, if somebody drives off with their stand down, they are not in a correct frame of mind to be riding a bike in the first place. It takes more awareness than that to stay alive on a bike.
I am one of those who hates all the safety stuff on machines these days. I have no belt or blade guards on my machinery, and all of the lockout switches have been removed from my mower. So, a side stand switch is an easy decision to remove permanently!
This also reminds me of an eBay auction I saw recently. They were selling a side stand switch from a Voyager that had no wires coming out of it. Well, these are permanently molded housings, so no way to repair that! Yet, they said all it needed was some wires soldered in place!

[JohnT]

By any chance is the large nut holding it all together loose? My nut loosened (be nice people! LOL) and it would not allow that bracket to rotate back up all the way. Tightened the nut and it works just fine now.

[misft]

You would probably like to keep the side stand switch operable if possible. In spite of what trikebldr said, I have occasionally left the side stand down which stalls the engine immediately and usually leads to some colorful mumbling about senior moments. Anyway, remove the side stand and behind it you will see the switch held in place by a single Philips head screw. I would clean the contacts on the switch and the terminals and make sure the terminals are tight when you reassemble. With a little luck, that may solve your problem.

[cranky]

You would probably like to keep the side stand switch operable if possible. In spite of what trikebldr said, I have occasionally left the side stand down which stalls the engine immediately and usually leads to some colorful mumbling about senior moments.

+ 1 .... a sr. moment can be a LOT of pain..... I HAVE on a very few occasions, BTDT... sigh,,,,

[trikebldr]

I guess that's why they call them "idiot" switches, huh? That's why I said that if you're not in a state of mind to remember lifting the sidestand, maybe you also aren't in a state of mind to be riding at all. What if you forget to signal a lane change, or even to look before moving from a stop sign?
Blame it on a senior moment, but it only means you shouldn't be riding anymore if you can't remember all the details it takes to ride safely. Too many people are causing accidents and dying from inattention to what they are doing and going, instead, on "autopilot".

[cranky]

Each their own, I personally never had a problem with the belt
and suspender philosophy.... Best to Ya!!! FWIW

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Well, frustration got the best of me! That and the near 100* temps persuaded me to remove it. Once I did everything returned to normal function (with the obvious loss of the safety feature).
I kept the switch and a few inches of the wires w/connectors "just in case" I ever opt to return it to factory.
Thanks everyone for the advice and follow up support.