Just bought a 400ex was wondering how i could start it in gear.
My old z400 was this way.

Its an 01 400ex, +2 a arms and hubs, fullbore plastics, itps, steal braided brake lines, white brothers exhaust.

 

how old is your 400ex??

 

I have owned both the EX and Z, and either one will start in gear with the clutch pulled, along with a dozen other different quads and dirt bikes with full manual clutches that I have owned over the years! You have some kind of problem going on somewhere. Probably the switch in your clutch or the connection that switch.

 

Yeah, if it won't start in gear something is wrong with the switch at the clutch lever. You should always be able to start it in gear as long as the clutch lever is pulled.

 

you could get asv levers with hot start

 

If you splice the two wires together that go into the clutch perch it will not only start in gear, but it will do so without the clutch engaged. This is what I did, but be careful with it.

Also, if it's a newer model with reverse, you can clip the gray and black wire under the hood so it will start in reverse. This also removes the reverse gear rev limiter.

 

i found it there is a wire that runs right in front of the shift lever that plugs in. it closes the circuit when the quad is in N. I grounded the wire to the frame so it thinks the circuit is closed and will start in any gear with the clutch in.

thanks

 

Well... i must apoligize for bringing this thread back.... But i did not want to start a new thread if there was one already started... but I have a similar problem... my 2004 400EX does not start unless it's in neutral... regardless of what i'm doing with the clutch.... should i be able to start it in any gear is the clutch is in? or is this the design of the beast? and is there a way to modify it so i can start it on the go??

Thanks..

 

As designed, the 400ex should be able to start in any gear as long as the clutch is pulled in (assuming you have the stock clutch lever which has a clutch safety switch). Otherwise, there is something wrong with the switch in the clutch lever, or the two wires leading to it. You can connect these two wires and bypass the switch completely. This will allow you to start at any time even if the clutch is not pulled in. This is also a common mod for anyone who has changed the stock lever for an aftermarket one that does not have the switch. If the switch doesn't work, or theses wires are not connected then the quad won't start unless in neutral.

 

Well.. Thank you for confirming that... i thought something may have been wrong... I'll have to look at it when i get a chance... Thanks bud..