Help! Engine dies when put in gear...

[ngthk700]

Hey All,                                                                                                                                            Hoping someone can help me out with some info for this problem I have. I have a '84 nighthawk 700. The bike would start up fine with a little choke...then it would idle fine with the choke off. But, every time I would pull the clutch lever in and put the bike in 1st gear, the engine would die right away. When I do put it in gear, the bike does not move or jerk forward...so, I'm thinking that it's not a clutch/transmission bleedding issue?? Any ideas??  Thanks!!!

[onarian]

What is your idle speed? Have you put the bike on it's center stand and tried to spin the rear tire with it in a gear and clutch pulled in to see what type of drag you have? Have you rolled the bike and then using the clutch put it in gear to see if you get the same results? I know these take 2 people but this would be a nice to know items.

[beardking]

Not wanting to sound like a jerk or anything, but are you making sure that the kickstand isn't down?  If it isn't are you sure the kickstand switch is functioning properly?

[ExTex]

If the bike is an 1980's Nighthawk, I don't think they have a switch on the side stand.
That leaves the clutch switch as the only switch in the system.

Does the engine die when you pull in the clutch or when you shift into gear ?
Is there a lurch when you shift into gear ?

Can you roll the bike with the engine off, the trans in gear and the clutch lever pull in ?
If not, then your clutch may not be disengaging.

I hope others have suggestions.

good luck

[ngthk700]

OK, Thanks for the response!! I'll use the info to check on this further and post an update....