Ignition switch replacement

[Randy3269]

I need to replace the ignition switch and was wondering if the tank needs to come off to unplug the switch. If it does then I'm going to desmog. I just want to have all the necessary parts before I get started.

Thanks,
Randy

[hubcapsc]

I don't remember having to take the tank off. There's a fastener
that's not a flathead or a phillips or a hex... a torx, I think... maybe
you can see it if you take the chrome cover off the switch, you'll
want to have the right tool when you get to it...

-Mike

[John Schmidt]

If you have baby size hands with 14" fingers, you can get to the connector up under the tank. The ignition has about an 8" pigtail on it with the connector up under the tank on the crossmember.

[Valkpilot]

I don't remember having to take the tank off. There's a fastener
that's not a flathead or a phillips or a hex... a torx, I think... maybe
you can see it if you take the chrome cover off the switch, you'll
want to have the right tool when you get to it...

-Mike

It's a T30 torx.

[Randy3269]

If you have baby size hands with 14" fingers, you can get to the connector up under the tank. The ignition has about an 8" pigtail on it with the connector up under the tank on the crossmember.

Thanks John. Can the tank be lifted or does it have to come off. I want to do a desmog if it does.

Thanks,
Randy

[John Schmidt]

Randy, you probably don't have enough slack in the fuel line to lift it far enough. Worth a try though.

[BnB Tom]

I need to replace the ignition switch

  WHY?  ???

[pago cruiser]

I just replaced mine.  Had to pull the tank, but it's easy.  The only head scratching part was the tiny Phillips screw hiding in the fuel petcock handle (which secures the handle to the petcock) that has to be unscrewed to remove the tube.   

I can tell you why I replaced mine...

Picked up the bike from the dealer in town last week after work (just purchased it), rode it almost home (about 42 miles) and pulled into our neighborhood gas station to top up the tank.  Turned the key on... and nothing.  on-off-jiggle-on-off, nuttin.  Then a car comes in behind me, and the station is getting busy.  Had to push that pig about 20 feet and around a corner then up about a 10 degree slope to get out of the way.  Pulled off jacket, helmet, gloves, etc trying to cool down - it was 100F here.  Pulled the seat, trying to find the battery, then the side covers.  Terminals tight, checked the main fuse, checked the fuse box, and just jiggled everything a bit.  Now it's getting dark, and I'm thinking the wife is not gonna be happy that I could not even get this beast home before it broke; women are funny that way...
Kept jiggling the key, and BINGO, power to the dash.  Hit the starter button, and did not turn it off until home.  Ordered an ignition switch before I went to bed... 

Note: it will be easier to pull the tank if it is not full of 7 gallons of gasoline...

[nogrey]

I don't mean to contradict, but I've replaced two in the last month and didn't even unbolt the tank to do so. I remove the engine hanger the engine switch is connected to. Then I use needle nose pliers to fish the harness down to where I can unplug the ignition switch. It's that easy. Good luck.

[pago cruiser]

No sweat; one thing I have learned about bikes is that things can indeed be different...  Good to know that some things can be easy...

Mine would have been almost impossible with the tank on.  The connector was tucked up tight and actually inside a clear plastic boot, which was then strapped to the frame. 

Then said, I'm also a bit fanatical about  maintenance anyhow...Whenever I am touching/replacing a connector I have not serviced previously, I also like to clean them with contact cleaner, inspect for corrosion/chaffed wiring in the nearby bends, and then coat each contact blade with an anti-oxidant.

I stand by my comment about an empty tank being easier than a full one however...    

[vanagon40]

If anyone has a defective switch he or she wants to get rid of, I would happily pay the postage for the switch.  I need an internal contact plate for a spare switch.

You can PM me or send me an email to me at yahoo dot com, with my forum name before the @.

Thanks in advance.