78 GL1000 Right side handle switch

[DirtyFoker]

I am looking for some help/advice/suggestions:

I have a 78 GL1000, and my push button ignition (right handlebar) switch has failed.

The issue:
The button was finicky when I bought the bike, but it worked. Recently, the headlight quit on me. Long story short, the ignition switch has failed (connection for the starter/headlight kill/power). I have had the bike looked at, and done some limited research and confirmed it is the switch...

The Problem:
I can not find a new replacement switch anywhere (the replacement part appears to be dis-continued). The mechanic I was speaking with suggested that I hard wire the headlight (so it will not go out when I start the bike). I am currently searching salvage shops for the part...

My questions:
1. Does anyone have a line on a replacement switch (preferably new)?
2. Would any other year/model of Honda work as a replacement switch?
3. If I was to hard wire the headlight (so it remains on) would I just splice in to the existing power supply (according to the wiring diagram) on the same existing wiring harness?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions/help...

Devon
Victoria BC

[virgilmobile]

Generally bike batteries have a limited amount of power to crank the bike.you really want the headlight off while cranking.It would be easier to put in a push button to crank it and tag a relay on the crank wire.Use the relay "normally closed" contacts on the headlight circuit.
When you crank it,the relay clicks and turns off the headlight.

[DirtyFoker]

Thank you virgilmobile for the suggestion... I really don't want to mess with the wiring set up as it is (this was my last resort).

I am hoping to buy a switch, or repair the switch I have (I have figured it out to be the connections in the actual push button assembly). I have located a switch from an 81 GL1100, and I will see if the push button assembly is the same.

I see that you have owned both the 78 and the 81... Have you/did you ever cleaned the push button assembly, and if so, do you know how many wires are going in to the push button assembly (how many terminals there is in the 81?...

I have attached pictures of the issue for my start button assembly, to better explain my issue (see pics)...

I am hoping that the 81 push button will be the same as the 78, and I can simply just swap the new push button assembly in place of my broken one...

If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them...

Cheers,
Devon

[virgilmobile]

I have repaired them.It can be tedious.
I think there's just 3 wires.4contacts.one is normally closed(headlight) and normally open(start).

[DirtyFoker]

Thank you virgilmobile,
You were correct about the four contact points, but there was also four wires... I was successful in modifying the switch from the 81 GL1100 for the 78 GL1000.

Now 'Betsy' is back on the road...

[virgilmobile]

Glad you fixed it.Didja take pictures?
3 or 4 wires....well it has been a while..my pictures in my head are a bit smudged

[DirtyFoker]

Thanks... Yes I took a few pictures, but when I got in to the repair, I seemed to forget about the camera...

I located a start stop switch from an 81 GL1100, and upon reviewing the wiring diagram and actual part, confirmed there were four wires going in to the switch versus the three for the 78 GL1000.

I confirmed that the two push button were the same size (the only difference was the mounting hole for the 81 was in a different place than the 78. I took both switches apart and used the 81 components in the 78 housing. I had to re-wire the switch, but that was not too difficult. The wire colours are the same for both years, Black/Red (for headlight) and Yellow/Red (for starter) and I was able to splice and re-solder the wires together. I used the Black power switch and combined the two remaining wires allowing the 81 switch to operate with the 78 system.

So, Betsy is back on the road and I'm enjoying the closing days of summer...

[Fred Camper]

Sounds like a good plan to keep a stock appearance. Nice post.