Ditching Key/Ignition Switch

[PHeller]

Mine is useless as a security feature because the pins are gone and it can be turned on with flathead screwdriver...or just about any key.

I'll keep the steering lock, but I want to install a hidden toggle switch for ignition.

Anyone have a wiring diagram to do this?

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[Patches]

Not much to it. It's just a switch in line with your coil power wire.

Try the search function. There is a thread that is nothing but wiring diagrams.

 

[PHeller]

Ok,

The ignition switch has four wire, but a 2 way switch usually only has 2 or 3, how do you reconcile that?

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[sgallaty]

More switches, or more poles on the switch if you are so inclined.

 

[PHeller]

Do you have to run new wires front to back if you place the switch under the seat? or can you tap into already existing wires?

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[PHeller]

What about amperage for said switch?

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[Grinder]

I used my kill switch along with a relay as an ignition switch. I also have a hidden toggle just for the coil. The kill switch still functions as a kill switch which I think is important.

 

[PHeller]

That sounds like it'd be easier too, because you only have wire in the relay (in the headlight i suppose?) and the coil wire is easy to extend to the remote toggle.

I too like the idea of keeping the kill. I'm just trying to simplify the gauge area.

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[PHeller]

So when you remove the key switch, do you hook up all four wires directly on the opposite side of the key, or do some of those require a toggle?

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[tonyc]

I run a 50 amp toggle. You could get by with 20 amp switch

 

[PHeller]

I'm just a bit confused about what's going on with the wires on the key.

What wires do I need to connect in order to get the "key on" position, and which wire is the "third position" of the key?

Another thing is that everything else on my bike is stock. I'm keeping stock controls, all that. So I'll still have the 3-Way Kill switch, and Lights On/Off switch on the right control.

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[retiredgentleman]

You don't say what year you have but here's how my 78 SE works. The ign switch has 3 wires...............red, brown, blue/yellow (maybe blue on some years).

Ignition ON connects the red (battery supply) to both the brown and the blue/yellow (blue/yellow is for the tail light.)

There is another position on the key called Park..............connects red to blue/yellow only for tail light on only.

 

[PHeller]

I've got a 78 Standard.

Sorry if its so dumb, but I'm trying to plan this as much as possible before I take the bike off the road for a day to wire it in. Can't waste August/September weather!

So I could just wire a two or three pole switch to connect the red to the brown and other color.

Or, I could connect those three together in the headlight bucket, and put a switch on the red power wire closer to the seat, correct?

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[jayel]

I've got a 78 Standard.

Sorry if its so dumb, but I'm trying to plan this as much as possible before I take the bike off the road for a day to wire it in. Can't waste August/September weather!

So I could just wire a two or three pole switch to connect the red to the brown and other color.

Or, I could connect those three together in the headlight bucket, and put a switch on the red power wire closer to the seat, correct?
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yes you could connect red/brown/blue-yellow together inside headlight but removing key switch says MY SWITCH IS SOMEWHERE ELSE leave key as is, put a switch into the red wire going up to it

 

[PHeller]

I may do that.

Here's the kicker, the pins have been removed from my key switch, so anything flat will turn the key.

However, my best defense on this bike is the steering lock. It's fairly well hidden, and much harder to mess with than a few wires (that will be exposed anyway once I go to small gauges).

In reality, if someone wants to steal your motorcycle, they are going need time to do it. I don't leave my motorcycle in public long enough for anyone to mess with it, and if I do that steering lock is enough to tell the passer-by criminal "this will take time".

Most crooks are opportunists, either on foot, or with a truck.

I can't really stop the guy with a truck.

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[PHeller]

So if I wanted to run a smaller, 3 amp toggle, rather than a huge 30 amp, multi-pole deal, would I need a relay?

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[jayel]

yes the main fuse is a 20 amp so you would need at least that + safety factor, so 30 amp relay http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062477

 

[sgallaty]

fortunately a 30 amp relay is pretty easy to come by and very low profile. I'd be happy to help you get that hooked up if you have any questions. I think relays are the way to go.