Golddiggerand Whacker: I got replies on the other forum faster then I expected . I've posted one below.
So the bike should start in gear with the side/kick stand up. I'm going to suggest you go back to my first post on this and try what I suggest there.
Whacker if your bike won't start in gear with the side stand up, I think you may have the same problem.
1. Sticky switch.
2. worn bushing
3.after market levers that don't make contact right.
4. Fat grip that don't allow the lever to come in far enough.
The tape thing I suggest will fix numbers 2 , 3 and 4. A good flushing with contact cleaner should fix number 1.
Yes you should start the bike in neutral, when first starting your bike then you can let it idol without holding the clutch in till it warns up.
Now I'm going to leave in a bit for a lunch ride, I expect you guys to have this fixed by the time I get back.

QUOTE:
Ron, all of the 1500s will start in gear if the clutch is pulled in and the side stand is up unless one of the safety switches are bad. There is one located on the left handlebar just under the front of the clutch lever. Sometimes people change out their hand grips for fat ones and the lever fails to come in and activate that switch so it will start in gear. That same switch is prone to getting dirty and even tho you may hear a double click when pulling in the lever the bike will still fail to start. In 95 (I think), Honda changed their engine shut off switch so the engine will not even turn over if the switch is turned to the off position. Before that, the engine would spin over but not fire. More than likely, your friend had a bad clutch switch or one with dirty contacts or the bushing in the clutch lever is worn to the point the switch is not engaging, OR, someone has changed to after market levers and the switch is not being activated.
From the Northwest Corner.
Ron