starter button

[vw70blue]

Not able to push in starter button. It had worked fine earlier. Took out the switch and didn't see anything burnt. I also noticed my headlight did not turn on. Luckily this happened about 25 miles from my home. Still had to wait 3 hours for a tow. How hard is it to replace the starter button switch? I'm ok with a wrench but not too good with the technical stuff. Any advice will be appreciated, Thanks

[sandy]

Go to the shop talk section and find the starter button maintenance link. It has a good description on how to clean and relube the contacts. I'd guess that's your problem. Use Super Lube from Ace Hardware. It's in their auto section.

[Kingbee]

The replacement is easy, and it comes with the whole switch housing.

[vw70blue]

Thanks for your help.

[roadmap]

repair is only  temp. fix  it might last a long time or might go out 5000 miles from home with no way of getting new parts. i did the repair and it lasted a yr or so. but also went out one year at americade had to take bike apart rewire whole headlight on the side of the road no dealer around would help not at that time of the year. me i always tried to cut corners, lol.   one note i wanted to make when you change to the new switch i removed the handlebars then slid the grips off so it was easy the change no removing the trottle cables. remember a big soft towel on the tank no need to scratch that new paint

[kickstand]

Mine quit on a Sunday ride why wait for a tow I just put it in 3rd gear got a little pueh pop the clutch started right up  but replaced starter button next day

[Ricky-D]

Sounds like the button is stuck pushed in. Like the spring is not returning the button to rest position. I have read where a ball point pen spring work as a good replacement for the spring if that is indeed the problem. Maybe there is simply a bunch of crud in the switch that's keeping it from operating.

[John U.]

Whether you can clean and relube or you have to replace the awitch, the best thing you can do for switch longevity is wire in relays for your headlight and any auxilliary light that run off the switch. The IS is wired that way but the Standard and Tourer switches take the full load. I think Chet has a write-up on this on the Rattlebars site.

[Skeeter (Va)]

Not able to push in starter button. It had worked fine earlier. Took out the switch and didn't see anything burnt. I also noticed my headlight did not turn on. Luckily this happened about 25 miles from my home. Still had to wait 3 hours for a tow. How hard is it to replace the starter button switch? I'm ok with a wrench but not too good with the technical stuff. Any advice will be appreciated, Thanks

  Maybe next time you can save the time and $$ for a tow...like we did with 50s cars...a little shove with the ignition on and you on the bike..ignition on..clutch disengaged, get a push, engage the clutch (pop the clutch  ) in 2nd gear and GO !! Been there with the Valk at 82 K miles. My decades faithfull Tech put in the new switch and harness from Honda Direct Line and cost me 40 mins labor while I looked at new bikes in the showroom...pi$$ on all the stress of doing the job and screwing it all up($$$$) if your not one of these technical wizzers......Skeeter (VA)