Ignition kill switch

[XSive Okie]

I don't have the Owners Manual for my '79 special, and was wondering what the function of the switch is when flipped to the left. The stickers are long gone, and I know straight on is run and right is kill, but left does nothing. (Unless it's kill also-never tried that.) Appreciate any help.

[CatatonicBug]

That's the steering head lock. If you go ALL the way to the left, it should turn the parking lights on. Be careful of that, as it will drain your battery pretty quick.

If you need a manual, you can download one from the link in my signature.

[XSive Okie]

Hey, thanks, CB! It was broad daylight when I flipped it so didn't notice the lights. I will download the manual from you when on a faster computer. Very much appreciated!

[psycoreefer]

Kinda confusing but I think the OP is asking about the emergency shut off switch on the right handle bar. If that is the case then the center position is "run" and turning it either right, or left, should stop the engine, and also prevent the engine from being started. Anyone who hasn't lately really ought to toggle that switch both directions and make sure it still works.

If you meant the ignition switch then yes, turning it to the left will lock the steering, and then one further will put you in "Park"

[XSive Okie]

That is the switch I was talking Psyco- thanks to both for your help. I should have been more clear with it's location, and good tip on flipping it both ways, I always go right and left was very hard (almost thought it would break).

[CatatonicBug]

Oops! Sorry about that! I saw the word "ignition", and thought about the key switch. The kill switch itself is rather simple, and if it's not turning smoothly, you should open it up and clean it out. There is a detent ball with a spring behind it that keeps it centered, and that ball likes to fly away when you open things up. Otherwise, there are a few contacts in there that can get corroded and stiffen things up. A little sandpaper, followed by some dielectric grease should do the trick.

[dbeardslee]

IIRC there are a couple little springs under the contact plate too. They get pretty nasty sometimes, and occasionally they break, but cut down ball-point pen springs work pretty good as replacements.

[fredintoon]

- - - Anyone who hasn't lately really ought to toggle that switch both directions and make sure it still works. - - -

Hi psyco,
if the bike still runs the killswitch is still doing all that it's actually good for.
The reason to place a second ignition switch perhaps 12" from the keyed switch has always escaped me.
A hidden switch to deter thieves I could understand but not one in plain sight.
The only time my killswitch was operated was in my absence by a helpful passer-by who flipped it to "off", presumably for safety's sake.
Had the bike half to pieces looking for a wiring fault before I noticed the killswitch position.
Interfering bastard.

[natemoen]

Hi psyco,
if the bike still runs the killswitch is still doing all that it's actually good for.
The reason to place a second ignition switch perhaps 12" from the keyed switch has always escaped me.
A hidden switch to deter thieves I could understand but not one in plain sight.
The only time my killswitch was operated was in my absence by a helpful passer-by who flipped it to "off", presumably for safety's sake.
Had the bike half to pieces looking for a wiring fault before I noticed the killswitch position.
Interfering bastard.

I think the kill switch is more for a fast easy way to kill the motor in an emergency situation.

[psycoreefer]

I think the idea of the kill switch is that it is in easy, no eyes, reach of your thumb, so if your bike was to suffer from the Toyota syndrome, perhaps on a section of very twisty road you wouldn't have to take your eyes off the road in order to kill the engine.

BTW I got crap in another post for recommending the "removal" of the tip over switch, I hate to see what the consensus is on removing the kill switch!

[CatatonicBug]

I use my kill switch every time I dismount. That's how I turn off the bike. The key just allows power to flow, then the start button and kill switch are on the right controls. Makes sense to me... Besides, if you follow the MSF guidelines, that's how they tell you to do it.

[cywelchjr]

I use my kill switch every time I dismount. That's how I turn off the bike. The key just allows power to flow, then the start button and kill switch are on the right controls. Makes sense to me... Besides, if you follow the MSF guidelines, that's how they tell you to do it.

On the three bikes I have owned in the last 30+ years, I think I have used the kill switch something like 4 times. And all 4 were on the previous 2 bikes which didn't have a tipover switch and involved the bike being on it's side running. The the 11, only one of the three times it's been down (all driveway/parking lot drops ), the tipover switch did it's job and shut it off for me. So in my mine, I can't see a lot of use for it.

It's also been a few years since I took the MSF course (back when I started riding in the late 70's), but I don't recall them mentioning the engine stop except for bike down situations. I remember being told to keep it in gear on an incline and such, but don't recall anything about using the stop switch under normal circumstances. I guess things have changed in 30+ years.

[dbeardslee]

BTW I got crap in another post for recommending the "removal" of the tip over switch

My dad used to ride bikes in the '40's, and that reminds me of one of his favorite sayings - "A motorcycle is the only vehicle in the world that will throw you off and come back and run you over." I hate when that happens .

[XSive Okie]

The gentleman that owned the bike before me never used the kill switch either, I guess that is why it was so stiff. I have used the key a couple of times to turn off the engine, but mostly use the right-mounted switch out of habit I guess. As far as Toyota syndrome (I work for a Toyota dealer, never actually seen a case of it in our dealership) at least we have a clutch we can pull in.