The Sidestand Kill Switch FAQ
compiled & edited by Kristian #562
Please read the Disclaimer before attempting any work in this FAQ.

• How to bypass the Sidestand Kill Switch
• How to bypass the Sidestand Kill Switch in an Emergency
• Can I cut the Sidestand Loop ?

How to bypass the Sidestand Kill Switch.
by Chris#433
from Tokyo

Typical Symptoms: I have a '97ST that recently has developed some problems restarting after the sidestand has been down. Usually, I can flip the stand up an down enough to get it going again but I'm afraid I'll really get stranded. Can this thing be disabled?

Yes it can. But first you might like to just check the Nut behind the side stand - It might just need tightening. If you really want to disable it, read on.

It's real easy. Just follow the wire from sidestand up the frame to the first plug in line. It is near the battery and frame on the old bikes. Unplug it and fuse the two wires together on the hot side. Hot side= battery side of (plug) wiring. Leave it be after a good sealing of your work.

Here is a more complete solution:


A picture of the finished bypass.

• I removed the wires for the side stand kill switch and routed a a wire between the two terminals.
• You can find the wires running vertically to the left of the battery.
• The brown wire in photo goes to battery terminal (you don't do anything to it. I just mentioned it for reference in finding the wires you want to pull).

• Connectors that fit the terminals are soldered onto both ends for the wire to give a secure fit.
• This is the part circled in red in top photo.
• This should provide at least as secure a connection as the original.

• Tape up the ends of the wires removed.
• I unwrapped the tape for the picture. You should use tape not quite so dirty.
• These wires are not "hot" so it is OK for them to contact each other. At least they have been OK for 3 year and 45,000km...

Now it is your responsibility to remember to put up the stand before riding off !

How to bypass the Sidestand Kill Switch in an Emergency
Claude #312

*Real* easy.

1. Take off the left side panel over the battery.
2. Follow the wire up from the stand switch to the white connector.
3. Pull the connector apart. Look in the upper half.
4. You need to short across those two pins.
5. Roll some aluminum foil into a little wiener and pack it down in there. Done. At a pinch a cigarette pack foil MAY work.

If you are a washer and waxer type you can secure it all nice and neat with some tape or something.

The advantage of this method is that it is easily reversible, just pull out the foil and connect the plug. I have done this on and off about three times. I always seem to ride off with the side stand down and scare myself and then put the circuit back together.

If the switch fails on the road, this is the way to get home.
 

Can I cut the Sidestand Loop.

If you removed the Switch, sure, it's main function is to protect the Switch.
If you just want to move the Clutch Shift Lever down one notch, and it's snagging n the loop, consider just bending out the lever a tad. See the Gear Shifting FAQ.

• I removed my switch long ago, but the Sidestand loop gives me a nice area to put a thick armored cable lock thru if I want to anchor the bike, or lock something to the bike. For a short thick cable, there's few other exposed frame members suitable. Todd #389
• I shorted the stupid switch out at the connector next to the battery, which did two things. First, it enables me to let my bike idle on the Centerstand if I want. Second, it makes the switch useless, so I removed it. Since I removed the switch, I figured I didn't need the little p.o.s. switch protector, which BOTHERED me when I shifted. So I cut it off with a grinder and hit the bloody stumps with some spray paint (gloss black engine enamel). Flash #412 (CO).