Neutral switch erratic -- adjustable?

[kent_in_kc]

Re: '76 XS650C. I'm new to this bike, just finishing it up as a brat.

I rewired the bike and everything works great except I can't depend on the Neutral Light to find Neutral. It just comes on for an instant in between First and Second. When the bike is in Neutral, the light is not on. What gives? Is there an adjustment or is the switch worn out?

Thanks guys! I'll post pics of the bike soon.

 

[jayel]

not really adjustable but take it out push in the bottom button and spray carb/brake cleaner into it

 

[gggGary]

haven't tried carb cleaner on a neutral switch but have ruined other switches with it. Contact cleaner might be better if the switch is suspect and it's not a wire or one of the diodes.

 

[kent_in_kc]

One of the... diodes. Diodes? What diodes? I don't have no stinking diodes!

 

[gggGary]

The stock wiring did use some diodes to interlock the starter, the neutral switch was part of that circuit. IIRC the neutral switch uses a green wire grounding the wire should light the neutral light.

 

[XSLeo]

The diodes were used on the bikes with a clutch and sidestand relay. Had to be in neutral with the sidestand up and clutch pulled in for the starter to work.
On some of the early bikes a diode was used in the brake circuit to tell you when the rear brake shoes were worn out.