Kill switch knob with red arrow

[donebysunday]

The kill switch broke into bits on one of my XS650s. I'd like to buy one in good condition if anyone has one to part with please let me know dsundby@wi.rr.com I believe all XS bikes use the same kind. Thanks, Done

[dpotter58]

Mike's xs. $30

[donebysunday]

run stop

Mike's xs. $30

Thanks, dang if I can find that ? All I'm finding is complete switch assemblies for $58.

[MPittma100]

Xj4ever

Look at this group. I heard they were selling the red knob insert. May have knob?

[donebysunday]

Kill switch

Xsers,
i found the right one at the local salvage yard, $20 for the complete switch gear. I'll clean it and shorten the spring, then stretch the spring to fit, this should take some of the pressure off the bakelite inner indexer. Maybe help keep the thing from breaking under pressure in the future ? I've always said the emergency kill switch is just that, delicate and only for emergencies, the ignition switch is for normal on/off.
Thanks, done

[Radioguylogs]

I am thinking if you cut the spring and then stretch it back to the original length, the the spring will be more stiff than it was originally.

[donebysunday]

i am thinking if you cut the spring and then stretch it back to the original length, the the spring will be more stiff than it was originally.

if the spring was cut the spring would have fewer turns, less wire, would mean less force exerted by the spring.

[Radioguylogs]

Done:

Intuitively, I would thing the same thing, but imagine a 2x4 board that's 8 feet long and a 2x4 that's 16 feet long. Which one will take more force to deflect?

Now imagine the wire in the coil is like the board.

[xs11lover]

I have a kill switch that failed with a good top plastic part if that’s what you are after.

[donebysunday]

just for thought

Done:

Intuitively, I would thing the same thing, but imagine a 2x4 board that's 8 feet long and a 2x4 that's 16 feet long. Which one will take more force to deflect?

Now imagine the wire in the coil is like the board.

Let's say I cut all the springs down to one or two turns, stretched them out to equal the length of the original, what then, would it still have as much force on the ball bearing in the Bakelite indexer ?
Not arguing just looking for thoughts on the matter ?

[Radioguylogs]

Let's say I cut all the springs down to one or two turns, stretched them out to equal the length of the original, what then, would it still have as much force on the ball bearing in the Bakelite indexer ?
Not arguing just looking for thoughts on the matter ?

Don't worry about offending me. I am an engineer and I enjoy good-natured debate. I sense you are the the same and you are polite.

Now, if you cut the spring down to two turns and stretched it to the same length, I am quite sure it will be much stiffer than the original spring.

Do we need empirical evidence to convince you? I could buy two identical springs from the hardware store and do an experiment.

[Radioguylogs]

After I posted, I took a quick look at the website for a spring manufacturer and found this simple useful chart:

https://www.acxesspring.com/compression-spring-design.html

[donebysunday]

Ok

Certainly I can't deny the facts !

Now it begs the question, what would be an approach to get less applied force to the ball bearing that in turn would transfer less pressure onto that Bakelite indexer ?

Let's call it Bakelite as I really don't know what this is made of ?

I've often told XS650 and XS1100 owners not to use that emergency stop switch to shut the bike down.
Use the ignition switch to turn it OFF / ON and save the emergency off switch for emergencies as this switch was so prone to disintegration using it for that purpose.

All because I've seen so many Bakelite indexers turn to bits.
Or is it just part of the planned obsolescent, probably not planned, just natural degradation ?

These bikes were never supposed to last 25 yrs. let alone 50 + years.

Thoughts anyone, please.

[Radioguylogs]

I think it looks like Bakelite too.

Of the 6 or 8 I have disassembled, they seem to last longer than I need them, although I normally turn the bikes off with the key.

[xs11lover]

Here it is. Doesn’t work but the cap is nice!