Turn signal handlebar switch control assembly trick

[gggGary]

If you've ever taken apart a slide switch with a spring / ball bearing, staple shaped contact and tiny piece of phenolic insulator, you know how much fun it can be to get all those little parts squeezed down and back in place when you try to reassemble.
While putting turn signals on "Butterscotch" I was fighting this battle. The second time I was on my belly on the floor with a flashlight searchinging for the ball bearing..
The light bulb came on; I had come up with a gggGary special tool to herd everything back in place the last time I was doing this. Bent from my goto windshield wiper strip of stainless. Note the ends are tapered, rounded, and smoothed on the grinding wheel.


Everything slid back in place first try.
PS I got Allison to stand there with a cookie sheet under all the little bits (a little too late) as I worked.
restore early bike xs1 xs1b xs2 tx650 turnsignal gear frustrated method assemble put together. install handlebar handle bar left hand control switch housing detent blob solder

 

[JJames]

Pretty slick.

 

[bosco659]

When working on parts that can go flying, never to be found again, do the work inside a large, clear zip lock bag. That way if a ball or spring is ejected, it will most likely be contained in the bag.

 

[Mikey]

Sometimes when working with something with small parts I'll use a couple of magnets from the inside of a microwave
If it's metalic it'll catch them
Last time I used them was when I was working on putting the washers / nuts when mounting the cups back on speedo /tach