Still on my Honey moon with my K75...however...

[Gil]

The honey moon could be interrupted with a permanent issue. The K75's key switch fails from time to time. What are my choices? Can th switch be rebuilt? Is there a replacement where the key cylinder or contacts are replaced and I keep the origonal key. And my most important question, How likely is the bike from shutting down again and not ever starting again due to the switch isseu?
As many of you may already know, The K75, in particular, MY K75 is the best bike I have ever owned. I used to love my old 700 Interceptor, but the K75 is just too smooth.

Regards!

Gil

[PGlaves]

The honey moon could be interrupted with a permanent issue. The K75's key switch fails from time to time. What are my choices? Can th switch be rebuilt? Is there a replacement where the key cylinder or contacts are replaced and I keep the origonal key. And my most important question, How likely is the bike from shutting down again and not ever starting again due to the switch isseu?
As many of you may already know, The K75, in particular, MY K75 is the best bike I have ever owned. I used to love my old 700 Interceptor, but the K75 is just too smooth.

Regards!

Gil

Key cylinders can be removed and reinserted. So if the switch body is bad, just get a new one. Remove the key cylinder from your old switch, insert your cylinder in the new switch, and get on with life. That's what I'd do.

[Gil]

Sounds simple! So, just order the switch hardware and keep the cylinder with the original key.
Is it as simple as it sounds?

[mieczkow]

When I got my K75 the whole key assembly would rotate freely in the crashpad. This was because the little "ears" which fix the plastic housing in the proper position had been broken. So I ordered the plastic housing which holds the key cylinder and the actual electrical ignition switch. You can remove the entire key cylinder from this housing and ignition connector - but it is a little tricky. There is an extraordinarily tiny little screw which locks the key cylinder itself in place which must be backed out to "liberate" the cylinder from the old housing. I mean TINY! When you order the new housing the screw does not come with it - so make sure you not only get it out without damaging it, but don't lose the damn thing - it's about the size of a flea.

[deilenberger]

Key cylinders can be removed and reinserted. So if the switch body is bad, just get a new one. Remove the key cylinder from your old switch, insert your cylinder in the new switch, and get on with life. That's what I'd do.If you're cheap (like most BMW owners) and a tiny bit "handy" - it's only a small step from what Paul suggested to cleaning and reusing your current switch. At worst - it is can't be cleaned you're out nothing. At best - you probably save around $25 (guess - but bet it's fairly close) which you can spend on beer for me at the RA rally in June.

See: http://www.eilenberger.net/K75S/IgnitionSwitch/index.html for how to disassemble and clean the ignition switch.