Stealth ignition switch

[joebloggs]

After removing my ignition switch mount from the yoke I needed to find a new home for it. Didn't want it in the headstock area as thats already very untidy so the next best place I could think of was under the seat in the tailpiece Theres a pretty sturdy crossmember where the bracket on the rear of the seat fits under and has two hole already drilled for me so seemed rude not to use them.

Spent a hour or so measuring and cutting a template from card then using Sketchup (not great but sort of works in 2d) I made a drawing I could send LaserFast (Swaffham)  so they could work their magic on a piece of 2mm mild steel

LaserFast only cut so I had the bracket bent 90 degrees at work (owe the engineering dept a case of beer at Xmas, even turned up with a stainless steel rose joint yesterday)

Was a little concerned on clearance between switch and bottom of rear light mount but turned out tight in my favor, its bolted at the top and wedged in tight on the bracket

I know its not practicle as I'll need two keys to ride the thing but hey it's out of sight and could always go keyless ignition in the future

Just need to take it apart and give it a coat of paint and its good to go

[joebloggs]

No boby like my ignition mount or you just jealous of my genius

[His Dudeness]

They're jealous. I can see why you'd want a hidden switch for security but why hide the ignition?

[Dead Eye]

How does this affect the steering lock?

[joebloggs]

How does this affect the steering lock?

Well the steering lock wont be effected but the steering lock wont work

Simples

[Dead Eye]

Yeah, more or less what I figured

It's an interesting mod, but requires that you have some form of additional physical security if out and about otherwise someone can literally just wheel the bike away without any effort

[celticdog]

Plus, you're going to be left with a little round hole in your top yoke were the ignition barrel was.
Short of turning a plug you might be lucky, it might be the same size as a cigarette lighter.

[joebloggs]

Yeah, more or less what I figured

It's an interesting mod, but requires that you have some form of additional physical security if out and about otherwise someone can literally just wheel the bike away without any effort

If they just want to wheel it awau a steering lock wont stop them for mre than a second or two, seen someone go through a lock with a large adjustable in the blink of an eye. As for security I always locked my bikes with either a chain or disc lock so should be secure enough (touch wood)

Plus, you're going to be left with a little round hole in your top yoke were the ignition barrel was.
Short of turning a plug you might be lucky, it might be the same size as a cigarette lighter.

I ground off the mount for the lock so no unsightly hole to fill. Naked and didn't like the way most people mounted their gauges with the ignition switch between the yoke and gauges.
Have made bracket MK1 but need to work on it to get the clocks at the right angle

[joebloggs]

Well after a little set back caused by a little to much enthusiasm I finally finished extending my ignition switch wiring

I didn't take any pictures of the soldering process as really didn't think it ness

Anyway, the wiring now threads its way from the rear of the bike, past the battery, under the tank, takes a loop under the coils then up into the black electrical box thingy (this also became the mount for the horn which is bolted to the bottom of it)

It's been quite awhile since starting this little mod but I get my wire from a little old bloke who makes wiring looms for old british bikes and he doesn't sell cable to the public, so after he sold me some for another little job I thought it best to wait awhile before going round asking for more.

Anyway, pictures (don't show much but had complaint re not taking any so here some to have a gander at)

Loom from under tailpiece (Exciting isn't it. Think Marvin the paranoid android from the hitch hikers guide)



Ignition switch on



Houston we have ignition (nothing else is connected so just neutral light for now)

[BBROWN1664]

I can see a downside to this that you may not have though about yet.

Sitting in a queue, say at a level crossing or ferry port etc, you cannot turn off the ignition so have to leave the engine running or flatten the battery.
Even worse, what happens when you strap luggage to the seat?

[BBROWN1664]

Whenever you stop for petrol, it will be a seat off job too!

[joebloggs]

I hear what your saying but I kind of like impractical and I'm in a rural area so apart from the odd set of road works I will rarely come across a situation where I'm stationary for that long, sure filling up with gas will be a bit of a pain, but hey

You want to see me shop with my car, have to remove the passenger seat to fit a weeks shopping in it........

[Frosties]

Whenever you stop for petrol, it will be a seat off job too!

Can't Joe just hit the kill switch - or am I missing something.

[BBROWN1664]

Can't Joe just hit the kill switch - or am I missing something.

Yes, the ignition will still be on so someone can easily ride off as you are paying or the lights will be draining the battery etc.

[joebloggs]

I've a 12v remote switch kicking around in my shed somewhere, may try hooking that up to the live from the battery but leave the ignition switch permanently on and in place should the switch prove unreliable.

Just happy that its all working atm

[joebloggs]

Live from ignition not battery, starter could be constantly live but thats not a real issue