My 1978 gl1000 ignition switch seems to have intermittent electrical contact when I turn the key.
When I wiggle it I can get it to work.
Is it possible to clean the contacts on this switch?
Also I ordered a new speedometer and it should arrive today. Has anyone, replaced the speedo with the Vetter Fairing on?
Maybe you have a how to article?
I could not find specific articles to these questions.
Thank you in advance for any help you provide.
1978 gl1000 ignition switch+ speedo replacement
- TheRobbie1950
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000 Goldwing
- SnoBrdr
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- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL 1000
131K Original Owner
Re: 1978 gl1000 ignition switch+ speedo replacement
Yes, you can clean the contact but be careful as it's 40 years old and things get brittle.TheRobbie1950 wrote: ↑Tue May 08, 2018 11:41 amMy 1978 gl1000 ignition switch seems to have intermittent electrical contact when I turn the key.
When I wiggle it I can get it to work.
Is it possible to clean the contacts on this switch?
Also I ordered a new speedometer and it should arrive today. Has anyone, replaced the speedo with the Vetter Fairing on?
Maybe you have a how to article?
I could not find specific articles to these questions.
Thank you in advance for any help you provide.
You can also buy an aftermarket replacement switch. Cost is under $30.
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 1685
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- Location: Denver, CO
- Motorcycle: (s)
1980 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
1993 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
1983 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
1972 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: 1978 gl1000 ignition switch+ speedo replacement
Four bolts, and a cable plug on the left side of the Vetter, so easy to remove it is not worth fighting the vetter to get the speedo out. My old 1000 had a vetter, it will be a lot easier just to get it out of the way.....
♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- TheRobbie1950
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000 Goldwing
Re: 1978 gl1000 ignition switch+ speedo replacement
Thank you guys for your reply. I actually just dove in to the speedo replacement with the Fairing still on before I got your reply.
Yes it was a hell of a job especially since the replacement speedo I got had a different housing. I manned up and did a MacGiver(sp)fix and am good to go
with the speedometer. I probably will take the advice to just replace the whole ignition switch but that will be a bit later on when if it becomes a worse problem.
Again TYVM for the replies.
This group is a goldmine of Goldwing information.....
Yes it was a hell of a job especially since the replacement speedo I got had a different housing. I manned up and did a MacGiver(sp)fix and am good to go
with the speedometer. I probably will take the advice to just replace the whole ignition switch but that will be a bit later on when if it becomes a worse problem.
Again TYVM for the replies.
This group is a goldmine of Goldwing information.....

- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: 1978 gl1000 ignition switch+ speedo replacement
Emco makes a replacement but that changes the key. There may be a way to change the key cylinder, but I just removed the plastic lower from the old switch and replaced it with the Emco plastic part. You have to use epoxy to hold it back together as the new Emco plastic teeth may not work with the old metal upper. I wrapped floral wire around it as a clamp while the glue set.
- TheRobbie1950
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000 Goldwing