Ignition switch issues

[HellOnWheels]

1999 Vintage Sport with the combination coil/switch mount that bolts onto the head studs. I've gone through an ignition switch (the old-school key switch barrel) on average about every two thousand miles. I've used multiple different brands, including a heavy-duty marine switch from NAPA. It's not the current that appears to be eating them, but rather the vibration. The innards of the switch literally rattle apart. End of March, I was 200 miles from home when the bike wouldn't turn off while stopping for fuel...replaced it when I got back home, and had to replace it again this afternoon.

Any suggestions on a decent switch that will A) fit in the housing, and B) not just fall apart after a couple thousand miles?

Short of getting a bulletproof switch that will fit in the factory mount, my next option would be to mount a toggle switch on the handlebar or frame, but can't seem to find a decent mount that won't look ghetto-rigged.

Help would be much appreciated.

 

[FrankBDPS]

1999 Vintage Sport with the combination coil/switch mount that bolts onto the head studs. I've gone through an ignition switch (the old-school key switch barrel) on average about every two thousand miles. I've used multiple different brands, including a heavy-duty marine switch from NAPA. It's not the current that appears to be eating them, but rather the vibration. The innards of the switch literally rattle apart. End of March, I was 200 miles from home when the bike wouldn't turn off while stopping for fuel...replaced it when I got back home, and had to replace it again this afternoon.

Any suggestions on a decent switch that will A) fit in the housing, and B) not just fall apart after a couple thousand miles?

Short of getting a bulletproof switch that will fit in the factory mount, my next option would be to mount a toggle switch on the handlebar or frame, but can't seem to find a decent mount that won't look ghetto-rigged.

Help would be much appreciated.

There is supposed to be a switch sold at Tractor Supply stores that would fit a Ford 9N tractor that would fit and hold up. Personally I would call bigdodpartsking or wild steed works and see what they have.

One question I have is you say this switch is necessary to shut the bike off. Don't you have a run/stop toggle switch on you're right side handle bar? Just courious.

Good luck!

 

[BWG56]

Here's the one that many of us have used and DOC also has the OEM switches for the newer bikes, don't know about 99' but he's only a phone call away. I've had the one in below for 2 years without problems.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tisco-switch-assembly-8n3679c?cm_vc=-10005

 

[HellOnWheels]

There is supposed to be a switch sold at Tractor Supply stores that would fit a Ford 9N tractor that would fit and hold up. Personally I would call bigdodpartsking or wild steed works and see what they have.

One question I have is you say this switch is necessary to shut the bike off. Don't you have a run/stop toggle switch on you're right side handle bar? Just courious.

Good luck!

You've got a very good point about the run/stop switch. It will kill the engine, but won't shut off the electrical to anything else, including headlights...which will drain the battery and make for a difficult start.

Regardless, after I was almost killed by a malfunctioning run/stop switch on one of my earlier bikes that had prematurely worn out and killed the engine as I pulled into traffic, I made it a habit to never use that switch. Hadn't used a handlebar switch in 15 years and kinda forgot it was there!

 

[Mr. Wright]

I'm running a toggle switch on mine. The key switch is just there for looks.

 

[PROFLYER]

I'm running a toggle switch on mine. The key switch is just there for looks.

How'd you set that up? Hidden?

 

[Mr. Wright]

How'd you set that up? Hidden?

You can put it anywhere. If it has a key switch, no one will think about it having a toggle switch to turn it on. If you turn my key switch on, it blows the horn. Which is one of those Bad Boy air horns.

 

[PROFLYER]

You can put it anywhere. If it has a key switch, no one will think about it having a toggle switch to turn it on. If you turn my key switch on, it blows the horn. Which is one of those Bad Boy air horns.

Nice. What do you wire it to? Would you want to wire it to the wires that go to the key switch at the switch, or would you want to just splice in near the EHC?

 

[Mr. Wright]

Nice. What do you wire it to? Would you want to wire it to the wires that go to the key switch at the switch, or would you want to just splice in near the EHC?

Use the switch wires, so you don't have to mess with your wiring harness. Mine is hard wired, and all my switches are ground switches, meaning the just ground a relay.

 

[PROFLYER]

so just get a 2 terminal toggle of some kind and connect each terminal to the two wires coming off the key switch?

 

[pknowles]

so just get a 2 terminal toggle of some kind and connect each terminal to the two wires coming off the key switch?

Sounds pretty simple doesn't it.. And a good idea. I also like the horn button to the key switch thing.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Sounds pretty simple doesn't it.. And a good idea. I also like the horn button to the key switch thing.

It is that simple only two wires ...

Shannon leaves the key in to see if he can entice someone he has a itchy trigger finger..lol

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[pknowles]

It is that simple only two wires ...

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unless you have a 3 position key like on the Bulldog.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

unless you have a 3 position key like on the Bulldog.

Yea then you just gotta splice your 1 and 2 position together. You'd lose your AUX position.

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[pknowles]

Yea then you just gotta splice your 1 and 2 position together. You'd lose your AUX position.

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And that would kill the battery pretty quick with the headlight on. I'll bet someone makes a 3 position switch.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

And that would kill the battery pretty quick with the headlight on. I'll bet someone makes a 3 position switch.

Well how often do you leave it in that position? Probably never?

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[PROFLYER]

Yeah lots of 3 position and 2 position switches. Biggest issue is finding one you like and then where to mount it.

 

[pknowles]

Well how often do you leave it in that position? Probably never?

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only when listening to the tunes while cleaning it.

 

[HellOnWheels]

I'm running a toggle switch on mine. The key switch is just there for looks.

My Vintage Sport has the old-school hardwired switch that actually runs the current through it along the circuit path going from battery to controller, as opposed to the newer style. I've been told that I'll need a switch rated at at least 20 amps. Any suggestions on where to find a good switch and mount?

 

[Butch Cassidy]

I have a 2000 Bulldog .... I put in a HD switch... fits perfectly and has a round key.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172064004087?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT