thanks for all the help guys, but i found the problem. as usual, it was a simple fix, but i dont realize it until i dump a bunch of money into it. there's a little wire that plugs into the engine by the shifter,and it came unplugged. i looked down one day when i was at the pitts, and i saw the wire hanging out. so plugged it in and, voila! i had a neutral light and electric start. now i just gotta get the reverse fixed. again.