it's obvious why newbs are called squids. After getting my first VTR, my new bike developed a strange symptom of dying after being started. It had run fine just hours before. I started the bike up and as soon as I put it into gear it would die. I looked at everything. I was stumped. I came to the board and moaned about my issue. I went back down and the bike started right up, I put it into gear and away I went. I stopped at a store, came out and the symptom had returned. Then I looked down, saw the side stand. I retracted it, started the bike, put it into gear and away I went; crute move #1.
Today I went down to use my bike. (I recently completed the R/R conversion and the bike ran normally after the work I did). The bike refused to start. I smelled fuel and the lights worked but it refused to ignite! Fearing I had disconnected something I tore the cowling off and checked all electrics I had touched. Disconnected and reconnected everything I had touched. No joy. I was again fearing I had done something to the bike when I noticed the kill switch. I depressed the switch and the bike came to life and ran perfectly. I have now completed crute move #2. This either confirms my status as squid or moves me to numb nuts status.

 

You weren't trying hard enough if you didn't drain the battery! Only then can you be knighted as Sir Squid.

 

I almost did. Actually I remembered some one else who pulled the manuver, that's what made me think of it. Almost fell out of my chair laughing from your post! Sir Squid, indeed.

 

Having been a motorcycle mechanic and racer back in the day, I can't tell you how many times I've heard this story. I remember a college Professor calling me when his brand new CB400f wouldn't start and he drained the battery then kicked it till he practically passed out, I got there turned on the kill switch and bump started it! I got an A in English Lit and made Dean's List that semester! Of course I was sworn to secrecy!

So dude you're in good company and you certainly haven't won the Master Squid Award! My nominee for that is someone in Vegas!

 

hahahahaha thats funny right there,i think its safe for me to say,we all have done it.
ive done it twice.

 

Ii did the same with my cb400 after I "adjusted" the gear shifter. spent over 30 mins fiddling with it to get it to go and not just stall when being put in gear. I really thought my few minutes of tinkering had killed my bike

So I stopped and while sitting on the bike and putting my head in my hands hoping for inspiration, spotted the stand and thought aahhhhh. the fact the side stand light was blazing at me just confirms that you only see what you want to see.

did the kill switch thing the other day on the vtr as I'd turned it off sharpish the day before when the wife was about and i'd been "checking" the bike was alright in the garage, those scorpions sound lurvly