Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Ignition key - loose and kills the bike

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Ignition key - loose and kills the bike

    I did search first. Seems like I am the first with this problem.

    My ignition was near stuck from the bike sitting for years under a tarp. After ample application of WD40 it is turning freely. Freely enough that if it is in ON position, every blue moon it will disconnect the power, and kill the engine. A quick tap on the key, while its still in ON position, will re-start power to the bike and it will start back up.

    Any thoughts on what can be done, to stiffen the contacts inside the ignition switch? Is it even serviceable?
    Tags: None
    • #2
      remove the ign lock, and remove the bottom section so you can clean the copper contacts.
      "It's only getting worse."


      MY rides: '97 VFR750, '90 Red Hawk, '88 Blue/Black Hawk, '86 RWB VFR700 (3), '86 Yamaha Radian, '90 VTR250, '89 VTR250 (2), '73 CB125, '66 Yamaha YL-1

      Sold: '86 FJ1200, '92 ZX-7, '90 Radian, '73 CB750, '89 all-white Hawk, '88 blue Hawk, '86 FZ600, '86 Yam Fazer 700 , '89 VTR250, '87 VFR700F2, '86 VFR700F.
        👍 2

        Comment

        • #3
          Originally Posted by squirrelman
          remove the ign lock, and remove the bottom section so you can clean the copper contacts.
          Thanks, I will give that a go over the weekend.

            Comment

            • #4

              Originally Posted by Alex_V
              I did search first. Seems like I am the first with this problem.

              Any thoughts on what can be done, to stiffen the contacts inside the ignition switch? Is it even serviceable?
              It is serviceable, you can remove it as an assembly, then separate the contactors from the rest. Be careful because there is usually a spring and a little ball so do not lose them.

              In my experience when these things start acting up they usually don't last long even after cleaning them (usually a few weeks/months), and they will start acting up again at the worst possible moment, so I suggest you to consider purchasing a replacement.
              You can buy complete kits for cheap including the gas cap, which is what I've done. Only issue I've noticed is that the cheap gas caps aren't properly vented so they will let gas vapors out, which will kinda stink up the place if the bike sleeps in your garage.


              But you can relatively easily swap the key barel from the new gas cap and put it on your old gas cap, there are tutorials for that on youtube. I did it a few weeks ago and it wasn't hard to do, let me know if you need some help or advice on how to do it


              Last little tip: when you switch on or off your key,before doing so always make sure the headlight button is on the off position.
              Otherwise the headlight will draw a lot of current instantly when you turn on the ignition, which puts more stress on the contacts, leading them to fail quicker.
              Last edited by Forcerouge; 05-11-2023, 10:29 PM.

                Comment

                • #5
                  I was riding down the highway one time and hit some construction. 10 miles down the road i had to stop for gas. I went to shut off the bike, they key was not in the ignition. Went to open the gas cap, cant, because it needed the key. Turned around, got on the highway and headed back.. The bike ran out of gas about a mile or two from the on ramp..... But i cant shut it off... I have no key. ITs stuck on and the headlight is draining the battery. . .

                  Away i did walk. in my full gear, on a 90 degree day (anyone who tells you full gear is safer doesn't take braking down in the summer into account.)

                  Long story short, i found the key hours later, in the construction area. Had to run out on the highway to get it, and I started walking back to the now dead, 10 mile away, motorcycle. Then got picked up by a guy...

                  The guy offered me a job, and without that job my life wouldn't be where it is now and that is for the better. Way for the better.

                  So for your own sake, i hope your key leaves you stranded in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
                  Don't spend money and buy, spend time and learn.
                    👍 6

                    Comment

                    • #6
                      Originally Posted by 6
                      I was riding down the highway one time and hit some construction. 10 miles down the road i had to stop for gas. I went to shut off the bike, they key was not in the ignition. Went to open the gas cap, cant, because it needed the key. Turned around, got on the highway and headed back.. The bike ran out of gas about a mile or two from the on ramp..... But i cant shut it off... I have no key. ITs stuck on and the headlight is draining the battery. . .

                      Away i did walk. in my full gear, on a 90 degree day (anyone who tells you full gear is safer doesn't take braking down in the summer into account.)

                      Long story short, i found the key hours later, in the construction area. Had to run out on the highway to get it, and I started walking back to the now dead, 10 mile away, motorcycle. Then got picked up by a guy...

                      The guy offered me a job, and without that job my life wouldn't be where it is now and that is for the better. Way for the better.

                      So for your own sake, i hope your key leaves you stranded in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
                      Haha, that was a pretty cool story mate.

                        Comment

                        Previous template Next
                        Working...
                        X
                        😀
                        🥰
                        🤢
                        😎
                        😡
                        👍
                        👎