Starter Push Switch

[pancho]

So I was out riding today, and after stopping for awhile, went to start the bike and no go!!! No cranking, then I notice no headlight....  Ok, this must be the infamous starter button problem. I check all the fuses just to be sure, but separate fuses, and they are all good. 

So, just for information, when this happens on the road, you can remove the boot and jump the two contacts on top of the starter relay with the key on and the bike will start. In my case, I still did not have a headlight, but I am home where I can disassemble the switch with all resources at hand.  I have seen this pop up on the board now and again, so I take it as a common failure. Hopefully I can repair it and be back running tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find.

[9Ball]

when you do that just make sure the bike is in neutral.....

[pancho]

Well, I disassembled the switch and found the sliding contacts melted into the push assembly. I was able to do a repair that will get me for awhile, but I can see that I will be buying a $68 switch assembly from Partzilla unless anyone has any other ideas?????   My picture is blurred,,,, must have been shaking thinking about parting with that $68.

[F6MoRider]

You may want to search these boards for an owner who's parting out his Valk, I read a post yesterday where it was said he was parting out his bike and selling his shop's parts.  Should be a couple of folks who might have contacts, especially for wrecked Valks?  Might be a cheap alternative if the assembly isn't damaged.

[fudgie]

So, just for information, when this happens on the road, you can remove the boot and jump the two contacts on top of the starter relay with the key on and the bike will start.

So do you just jump it with a screwdriver like a starter on a truck? Thx how my HD bud jumps his bike every time.

[Skinhead]

In order to prevent this, I suggest adding a relay on the the STDs and Tourers to take the load off the switch.  I'm sure there is an article in the tech section on it, don't have time to search on it now.  Well worth the $10 it'll cost you.

These starter switches are pretty generic across many honda models, a swap meet will probably be a good low cost alternative.  Or do a Romeo mod.  ( PM Gary aka Romeo)

[pancho]

Yeah,, I know,, I got suspicious because yesterday I ran with the spots on the cobra lightbar turned on.......  I looked into it after repairing the switch, and it turned out that they had been wired right into the headlight wiring with out a relay. I had just had all that stuff apart a couple of months ago and did not even check that out even though every single thing that had been done by the PO was done incorrectly. I had put 35 watt amber lamps in there which means a total of about 10 amps was going through that push switch and it was never designed for that. I will use some relays to safeguard that circuitry,,,, it just gets to me....... I should have checked that all out. I really hate it when I destroy my own stuff because I was not attentive.

[BobB]

My lights were wired like yours and worked for years, until last winter when I powered to spots separately.  I don't want to blow my own horn but the thread below solves your problem and then some.
It also has posts linking to solutions that have been around for years.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,55747.0.html

[pancho]

Not only have I seen that post Plunker,, I was the first one to comment on it when you posted it. Of course since I had just been through and verified all my wiring a short time ago, it did not apply to me at that time.....   HA  .......   Just goes to show,    anyone can miss anything..... at any time ....