Question about the function of a part (blown up diagram attached)

[bachus2001m900dark]

machine is 2001 m900 (fuel injected)

http://www.ducatimcparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=443720&ukey_make=1051&ukey_model=15308&modelYear=2001&ukey_category=19846&ukey_driveLine=6510&ukey_trimLevel=17931[/url]

Part # 9 is a small spring and part #10 is a small bal//l.  The assembly goes into the back of the crack case adjacent to the neutral switch.  Can anyone tel me there function

[Howie]

Shift detent.  You need it to select gears.

[bachus2001m900dark]

I have a "false" neutral that i can locate between 1st and real neutral.... machine is in neautral but light does not come on,,,, it feels that there is a "location" there for the shifter....but sometimes a quick rev will activate the light,,, i have fiddled with the neatral switch as well.. i have been trying to resolve this off and on for 6 months,,,,would you think this an cheap/easy fix for my issue?

[Howie]

That spring is not your problem.  You either have a bad connection, bad switch or you need a different thickness crush washer under the switch.  Mine does that intermittently and it is the switch.  Some day when I order parts I will remember to buy one.

[bachus2001m900dark]

thanks,,,,

[bachus2001m900dark]

I tried w/o the crush washer a while back and got the same results,,, where do i get diff size crushwashers??is that a hardware store run???

[Howie]

Ducati supplies them in different thicknesses, or you could go to an auto parts store micrometer in hand.