There was some discussion about whether or not permanently shorting the clutch switch would affect the way the bike runs. There was some discussion about whether or not the ECM can tell if the clutch switch is closed all the time. Short story, no, the ECM can't "see" the clutch switch.
I took a look at the circuits for first generation and 2003 SVs (those are the schematics I have). The clutch is a simple interrupt between the starter button and the relay. There is a hot supply that comes from the run/stop switch that provides power to the start button, power to both coils, and connects to a pole on the ECM. But there is no signal available from the clutch switch to the ECM.
Looking at it another way, the circuit is the same electrically when the clutch is engaged and/or when the starter button is not depressed: open circuit. To complete the circuit the clutch has to be disengaged AND the starter button has to be pushed.
I took a look at the circuits for first generation and 2003 SVs (those are the schematics I have). The clutch is a simple interrupt between the starter button and the relay. There is a hot supply that comes from the run/stop switch that provides power to the start button, power to both coils, and connects to a pole on the ECM. But there is no signal available from the clutch switch to the ECM.
Looking at it another way, the circuit is the same electrically when the clutch is engaged and/or when the starter button is not depressed: open circuit. To complete the circuit the clutch has to be disengaged AND the starter button has to be pushed.