I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some insight into a 600SS that I've acquired. Its a 94 bike on a 95 plate and I've been restoring it after 20 years off the road. Ive nearly finished and the bike is running all ok but there are some peculiarities about the electrics that I'm not sure are correct or faulty (my experience is all with post 2000 bikes). Firstly, the starter motor will crank over even if its in gear, so will lurch forwards. Is this correct? If it is then I think its a simple job to add a reply across the starter and neutral light, just seems strange that it should do this. Secondly, it has a flip up side stand and a warning light on the clocks to say the side stand is down, but that doesn't seem to kill the engine if its put into gear. Again this seems like an easy fix with another relay but I wanted to check that this is all correct and there isn't a fault somewhere I haven't found yet. thanks
If the engine is not running and it is in gear and you press the starter then, yes, it will try to turn the rear wheel. Pull the clutch lever in before pressing the start button. I don’t think there’s a side stand cut out switch on that year’s bike, I dont think they came in until later years. Is there a sheath containing wires that runs from the SS pivot underneath the crankcase and then up the frame?
Paul is correct there isn’t a cut out switch on this model which comes in handy when starring it and leaving it to idle. As with all engines Id suggest starting it in neutral
Thanks for the replies. Now I know the bike isn't faulty I'll add a relay across the neutral light and starter button.
It's how a bike should be IMO, none of this 'namby-safety' malarkey. I like to be able to start my bike in gear with or without the clutch etc. especially useful if you stall in traffic and can simply just restart. I'm also a fan of the pop-up side stand, the only downside of which is if some muppet plays with your bike and doesn't realise the stand's popped up and then drops it but, no-one should be doing that, ever.
