does anyone with motorcycle knowlege have any idea why a motorcyle would fail to start with the clutch in?

Answer 1

People may need more information to answer this properly.

The moto won't start at all?

I'm assuming that the battery is good (headlight on) and there's decent (not stale) fuel in the tank. In this case the engine will turn over and struggle when you try to start.

Did you roll on the throttle before starting the engine?Perhaps the engine is flooded and you now either wait or dry off/replace the spark plugs.

Is the choke in the proper setting?

Hope this helps. Safe riding.

Answer 2

I've noticed that all the answers posted so far are assuming electric start, so I'll leave that alone for now.
If you're talking about a kickstart motorcycle, then the clutch must be released to allow the kickstart gear to rotate the engine and allow it to fire. If the clutch lever is pulled in the kickstart is effectively freewheeling and won't turn over the motor.
If we're dealing with a electric start, and it fails to start with the clutch pulled in, assuming it started before this way, then the clutch safety switch is bad.

Answer 3

Looks like it's been covered, but I know on my bike, if the kill switch is engaged - obviously won't start no matter what you're doing with the clutch. Also, if the kickstand is down and the bike is in gear, even with clutch pulled in, still won't start. Those are the two obvious.

Then of course is dead battery, faulty electronics, seized engine, etc, etc. Then you've got much more than a clutch question...

Answer 4

first of all be very careful to not turn the engine over(start up) in case you think that the cylinders are flooded. you're taking plausible of locking up the engine provided that liquid isn't compressible and you will additionally further harm the engine. i've got self assurance that the the petcock might additionally be clogged or that the gas cap vent might additionally be blocked. the two can be checked with out subject. first of all , on the petcock there'll could be a strainer to block the significant peices of junk that assemble during the years on the backside of the tank. heavily siphon the gas out of your tank and get rid of it from the bike. Make confident which you're making notice as to wherein each tube is expounded. if think approximately a instruction manual plenty the bigger. as quickly as the tank is empty, carefully unscrew the petcock and rinse utilising carb or brake cleanser(spray can). collectively as the tank is off the bike you've get right of entry to to the carbs. on the backside of each and each carb is a screw carefully get rid of one by one and check out circulate-verify the drainnings to be sure if there is any junk(sand or flakes). in case you come across stuff, opportunities are which you will possibly want a carb rebuild. counting on you're skills this is a do it your self or a commute to the save! If there is not any junk exchange the screws into the carbs. replace the petcock after this is dried from the cleanser(beware to ascertain that the gasket is in nicely style in the different case you will have the skill to have a leak!) and exchange the lines as think approximately sought after. collectively as the tank is off ascertain that the vent line isn't pinched or collasped. If this is, generally time collectively as you crank up the engine a vaccum foms interior the tank and no gas will waft. a bike from the 80's is gona have a pair of issues whether with a splash bit staying power you will have the skill to obtain knowlege and a pair of skills ...all the a snigger in possessing a bike.

Answer 5

For the same reason a car doesnt start unless the clutch pedal is pushed all the way down. Leave the clutch pedal up in your car and your car will jump foward when you start it.....the same thing would happen on a bike if you didnt engage the clutch.

Answer 6

My bike has a kill switch on the kickstand. If the bike is in gear and I put the stand down it kills the engine. So naturally if I'm trying to start the bike in gear with the clutch in and the kickstand down, it won't start. It's best to make sure the bike is in neutral when starting and the clutch lever disengaged.

Answer 7

The clutch shouldnt be in when you start.It slows everything down when gears are engaged while starting it even when the clutch is in.
First thing you do is check gas make sure its on.Then put it in neutral.Let go of the clutch and move the bike back and forth to make sure its not in gear.Turn it on if its got a key.Turn the choke on all the way .kick it over until it fires.Turn the choke to the half way position and kick it till it fires.Feather it until it warms up a bit then turn choke all the way off.Let it warm up until it idles then ride like the wind

Answer 8

The bike is not in gear,but the clutch in. I would say your clutch is dragging,I've started allot of bikes with the clutch not engaged or in,if your clutch is dragging it makes the starter work a whole lot harder.

Answer 9

Not enough information.
But I agree in general with most answers. My bike, also, will shut down and not start with the kickstand down unless the bike is in neutral.
Most older bikes won't start if the bike is in gear and the clutch is pulled. (Mine will allow me to do that, convenient if it dies in traffic).
Hope somebody helped.

Answer 10

Could be a dragging clutch, bad neutral safety switch or bad kickstand switch. If it starts in neutral and dies when you put it in gear could be a bad kickstand switch. Does your clutch lever have to much free play and need to be adjusted?