[PaulF]

This is off-topic, but it's an interesting question, brought up by own superior stupidity.

On a sunny day this past summer, I was sailing past a popular Delaware River side stop where the bikers gather. I saw a buddy there and leaned on the horn button - nothing happened. It was then that I realized that I was leaning on the electric start button whilst traveling 55!

Is there a cut-out that engages at some point to prevent the sprag clutch from engaging when the motor is spinning at X 1000 RPM to prevent the starter and primary case from exploding??

If so, I'm greatful to the engineers in Chennai.

[ace.cafe]

I really don't know the answer to the question about a "safety lockout" for the starter when riding.
I never looked into that.

I'd be interested to hear the answer myself.

[Tiny Tim]

There is no safety cut out as such.

When you press the starter button you are extending a +ve feed from the ignition switch to the starter solonoid. The other low current wire from the starter solonoid goes to the clutch switch first to look for an earth return path. It also goes via the neutral light to the neutral switch and looks for an earth there.

So.... if you had leant on the horn (via the starter) with either the clutch in or had been in neutral, the starter would have engaged.

This does not shatter your sprag clutch. I've just tried it!

[23hp]

Could be wrong here, but when I had it all opened up recently it looked to me like the Sprag Clutch is constantly spinning when the engine is running, or at least the bike moving and the only way to really protect it 100% from breaking is to remove it along with the other spindles and plug the hole,

http://niederle.googlepages.com/spragclutchwoes

Anyone?

[PaulF]

Thanks Tim

Does that mean, (not that it matters - I think we all look for neutral), if it's on the center stand and in gear, the E-start will not engage?

[ace.cafe]

Could be wrong here, but when I had it all opened up recently it looked to me like the Sprag Clutch is constantly spinning when the engine is running, or at least the bike moving and the only way to really protect it 100% from breaking is to remove it along with the other spindles and plug the hole,

http://niederle.googlepages.com/spragclutchwoes

Anyone?

Yes, there have been some reports described here lately which show the sprag clutch gears can frag even when you're not doing a starting procedure.
But, I'd venture to say that the likelihood of fragging is higher during starting.
So, percentage-wise, you'd be going a long way toward not fragging them if you just don't use the starter.
Of course, taking them out altogether would preclude any damage to them, and that would be an option.

[23hp]

Thanks for confirming Ace, I´ve still got one more spare left before I go drastic and remove the lot 

[Tiny Tim]

Thanks Tim

Does that mean, (not that it matters - I think we all look for neutral), if it's on the center stand and in gear, the E-start will not engage?

The starter can only engage if the clutch is in or the bike's in neutral.

The kick stand does not prevent the starter from spinning. It prevents the ignition giving a spark..

[faltnerc]

That´s right, Tim!

I tried both and nearly got mad!
The electric start only works when the green neutral light is on!
If you are in neutral and the light is not on (what can happen sometimes), there is no reaction and you try to disassemble the bike to find what is wrong (fuses?), but you´ll find nothing!

Regards
Chris

[Tiny Tim]

Chris,
That'll be one of the false neutrals that come free with all Enfields. less common in the 5-speed box but there all the same.

No clutch or no neutral light = no starter.

What the Booleans call an OR gate I think?

[Kevin Mahoney]

In early ES bikes there was a blue box in the left hand tool box. It was the "auto starter cutoff switch". It's purpose was to disallow the starter from being engaged while the engine was running. It was an unusual device in that you don't see them on many other bikes. It created a problem because they dropped enough voltage that in many cases there was not enough left to actuate the starter solenoid. After a couple of years they dropped it. The also advised us to remove them from any bikes that were having trouble.

I think that is your neutral light is not operating correctly you can start the bike by pulling in the clutch.

[Tiny Tim]

RE1,

I have come across a similar device in the UK fitted to early classic ES models. It disengages the starter after 1 - 1.5 seconds.

Please don't ask me why, I can't see the point. Perhaps that's why it dissapeared?

Re Neutral light comment, if it's just the bulb gone then the earth from the gearbox is all that the solonoid needs to see. This earth is not extended by the selection of false neutrals. The clutch switch provides an alternative source for the solonoid to find a path to earth.

[scoTTy]

Kevin I'm curious..  Yall sent me one of those 1st units about 8 months ago..  So there is a new one coming out? ..  what would be the price on that unit..  the one I have works,, but sometimes it acts a little weird,  thanks

[REpozer]

Just finish installing a resister. Everything works fine!

Thanks  Jim at CMW for the instructions and some advice over the phone.

The job was easy after I understood what I  was supposed to do.

[REpozer]

Will I need a  new ignition unit as well ?   My sprag is still working , I have 1500 mile on the bike.