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So I recently purchased this motorcycle from a third party. 2 days ago it would start up fine and you could ride it. The guy I brought it from said the battery was acting cranky so you should change it.

That same day I had the bike on the kickstand and it dropped on its left side and I also believe I had the switch on (the red button on the right side of the bike) but ignition off. When I picked the bike up I didn't think about starting it I just put it away. The next day I changed the battery and my bike would not start. It would make a few noises, nothing from the exhaust pipes though. After a couple times I would get no noise when I tried starting the bike and eventually the lights dimmed on the bike and the back lights wouldn't be lit.

I also found a plug to something on the right side of the bike in between the oil tank and the battery that was not connected. I couldn't find no place that the plug could possibly go to. Even with the plug as it is the bike would make the noise but eventually I would get nothing. Any thoughts?

left side of bike is picture 1

right side of bike is picture 2

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    Post some pictures it might help. – race fever Apr 7 '16 at 2:32
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    If you register yourself as a user and go through the login process, we can interact much better and possibly chat if we need to in order to help you get sorted. Go here and do that. Once your done, we can link this question up to you. mechanics.stackexchange.com/users/… – DucatiKiller Apr 7 '16 at 3:49
  • You say you changed the battery the next day... Did the new battery have enough time to properly charge? Also, check the basics - bike is in neutral and the kill switch is on. – JPhi1618 Apr 7 '16 at 13:41
  • Unregistered user. Doubt we'll get any comms. – DucatiKiller Apr 7 '16 at 21:47
  • I just put the new batter in and right after tried to start it. And all that happened was my lights being back to normal. But after a few attempts of starting it with the bike in neutral and kill switch on the lights eventually dimmed... And I'll try to post a picture of the plugs I found – Torey Apr 8 '16 at 2:27
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I believe your clutch safety switch has been damaged

You have a switch underneath your clutch lever.

It forces you to pull the clutch in to start the bike.

There is a small phillips head #2 screw that holds in place. It can be adjusted and slid back and forth to engage properly with the clutch lever. You can see where the switch hits the lever if you look at the underside of the clutch lever. As well, the wire to the switch may have fallen off. It plugs back in easily.

Here is another post where this is listed as a possible issue after an owner dropped their Katana.

Here is the part on parts explosion of the clutch switch. It's #8. The image is for a 2000 750 but it's the same as yours.

EDIT:

  • You also have a side stand switch that your kickstand hits when it is up. Make sure that is in place and the kickstand can hit it properly. It's a grounding switch and your bike can't run unless the switch is depressed

  • You have a tip over sensor attached to your battery box. That's the plastic shell your batter rests in. The tip over sensor has a black rubber encasement that wraps around 4 sides of it. The tip over sensor is black. It has an arrow stamped on it, not the rubber but the plastic. You want that arrow pointed up to the sky. If it's not pointed in that direction, the bike won't start.

Good luck, you have to know it's something simple. The bike fell over, now it doesn't start. Chances are the two events are related. I'm just saying, don't overthink it, it's probably something not complicated. Good luck troubleshooting. It's the stuff of life.

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  • Thanks man I appreciate it, I'll try it all tomorrow and let you know how it goes . – Torey Apr 8 '16 at 5:51
  • Put in an edit in your post for the three wire colors on that wrapped thing. Looked like one was pink and another black but I need to know how many wires and the colors of each. example would be white w/ a brown stripe, etc...anyway, good luck and your welcome. You gotta ride your new bike. – DucatiKiller Apr 8 '16 at 6:00
  • Alright yeah I'll get that for you tomorrow @DucatiKiller – Torey Apr 8 '16 at 6:06
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You should place the old battery back in and check if it starts there.. If it does, then there could possible be something faulty about the battery you replaced it with (Try getting a brand new battery instead).

After the bike fell to the side, was there any damage? Check if anything was broken (e.g. power cables etc.). That could be one thing to do, just give the bike a general check over making sure everything is connected correctly.

As for the plug, it is likely its a testing plug used when doing maintenance on the bike, and should sit in a little slot made it for it.

(Note: This is just general knowledge of a everyday person, I do not own said bike, this is just what I would do if I was in the same situation as yourself)

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    There is no test plug on any Suzuki model that comes out the side. They are all very short plugs under the passenger seat. – DucatiKiller Apr 7 '16 at 3:53
  • Yeah I found a short plug on the right side not connected covered with electrical tape behind the fairing and another on the left side. I no longer have the old battery, traded it for a new one. Today I tried again to start it and I would sometimes get a tick then eventually all the lights dimmed again after a few times of trying to start the bike. I checked underneath the clutch and it's connected it looks fine – Torey Apr 8 '16 at 2:19

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