1977 R 75/7 handle bar Kill Switch

[jphillips]

Howdy,

I have noticed that the handle bar mounted kill switch seems to have a spring gone in the switch. When I start the bike I have to fiddle with the switch and get it just right before the bike will turn over. Consequently I leave the switch well alone now and just turn the ignition key to turn the bike on and off.

A new switch quote I received came in at $300 !! I would sooner explore a fix of the switch prior to laying out that kind of money. I am hopeless with electrical problems and happily admit it. It was mentioned to me that there maybe a possibility of wiring the switch up so it is on and I can just use the ignition key to turn the bike off.

Any help is appreciated as I planned on taking the BMW on a 5 day mini tour next week. If I can`t get the switch sorted out in time I will be going on my Gold Wing .

Thanks,

JP

[skiteach]

I would try to disconnect the wires, leave them separated - see if it starts. If not strip a little insulation and twist 'em together. The circuit either completes a ground or opens a circuit. My guess is that it completes. My Clymers doesn't show a kill switch, it only goes up to '75. And I paid $7.95 for it.

[jforgo]

Does your bike also have that weird turn signal switch on the right? My 78 RS does. If that is so, I would suggest replacing it with a new assembly, as whatever is happening with the kill, the turn switch cannot be far behind. The cost will not drop in the future, but the factory availability may vanish.
You got 30 years out of the old one - you probably will not have to mess with it again...

[James.A]

Sourcing a re-cycled part is always an option. There are plenty of people, myself included, who keep spare parts on hand by buying up derelict bikes occasionally.

It may be that your switch trouble might be associated with the mechanical sprung detent aspect of the switch assembly. As such, you might be able to take it apart and make a fix. I have not tried it on that particular switch, but /5 type switches are completely serviceable. I gotta believe that the mechanical function is similar.

[sgborgstrom]

I think you are looking for part #61311243245, $164.47 from Chicago BMW... Just under $200 from Capital Cycle. The harness length varies depending on your handle bars so make sure you get the right one for your bike. Was the $300 an installed price?

I never use the kill switch, simply turning the key to "off" has always worked for me. There are plenty of folks who do though, I wonder if it just depends on who taught you to ride.

[Yarddog]

I had to replace the left switch pod on mine, and because I'm not a big believer in used parts when new are available, I ordered a new one thru my local B&M supplier (brick and mortar, opposed to internet source)...it cost me $106 and change...what I'm finding is that a ton of stuff is still available out there for these bikes, and yeah, a lot of it's expensive, but compared to the Harley stuff I'm used, to, it ain't too bad at all!!!

That $300 price that was quoted certainly seems too high, and if that was a genuine quote, installed or not because it's really not a chore at all to replace these things, I wouldn't use that source ever again...

[jphillips]

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. Gives me some good food for thought.

John.