Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-rant

After harvesting the mini-mushrooms growing in and on the handlebar switches and throttle, I removed them (many thanks to those of you who helped on that) I noted that there are screws on the inside so it can be disassembled. Can the innerds be cleaned and renewed to proper working conditions. What is the satisfactory way to clean the old finish off and the best way to repaint the depressed white lettering on the switches? The slit on the side of the switch body/ throttle cable holder where the throttle cable is inserted is about 1/8" wide at it's largest point where the thread are. Is this proper?

And now the mini-rant: For those of you who know Norton history, were the Norton factory bosses so preoccupied with costs in 1975 that so much of the bikes were spec'd in materials that were just OK? Men marry women and don't want them to ever change; women marry men convinced they can change them for the better. On that basis we are all women wanting to change our bikes for the better because our seeming love for these machines is really no different than a marriage. By virtue of the low prices for some of the new Triumphs I see for sale, perhaps this "just OK" idea has persisted.

If I'm out of line with my comments flame the poo out of me; not even my Alfas made me beat things with hammers as much as this motorcycle has; God what fun!!!

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

You are lucky you have a '75. My '77 had the cylinder "machined" so it leaned to the right, and the head tilted forward. All fixed now though.
The casting of the head looks as though the fellow who stoked the furnace was on strike or they ran out of coal.
The machine tools were very blunt by the time my mk3 was made. ( or it was assembled using reject parts?)
Only 1 "D" rod though.
I too thought these things were a piece of $hit, but eventually sorted it out to be reliable.

All fixed now and it's a lovely bike to ride and the best by far tourer I've owned.

I cleaned all the switches carefully, removed all the green and moss and corrosion.
Painted the bits black and then painted the recessed lettering with felt pen and wiped off the excess. This is trial and error but it eventually looks good and lasts.

Good Luck,
Graeme

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

I've already asked the question in another post of how best to remove the slag from the cylinders but no one has given me an answer.

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

powerdoc said:

I've already asked the question in another post of how best to remove the slag from the cylinders but no one has given me an answer.

Click to expand...

Slag?

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

Well, flashing then if you wish. That irregular stuff that shouldn't be on the cylinder fins but of course is.

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

There was a post a while ago, I don't remember who, but he took a week and a bunch of chainsaw sharpening stones in a dremel and made his perfect. This stirred up criticism from the usual few. I'll try to find it and post it here.

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

Its not a Mk III is it ?

2A I dismantled them all / both , fitted the longer bits for thumbs . ( BSA / Triump ones are fine for spares )

Plastic trays help keep track of the little balls & springs . I soldered a wire across two terminals , and had Right
Kill push , top. Flick kill switch Cr . (up or down OFF ) and ' head lamp ' Flas push , bottom .

flick switch left , headlamp off , low , high , from bottom to top . ( safer 2 posn , off remote )

You can change em from 2 to 3 posn with appropriate bits .
sand all contacts clean & blueprint little contact arm tensions .

Trailer Elec harrnes multi core is ok for resoldering for new elec leads .

Maurice 1100 , Austin etc switches from same area , can do for pilfering bits .
Lamp switch in H Lamp is same . Can do sim. conv. on them for a lever kill switch .

All pommy vehicals pre 74 odd ran same colour codeing , per function .
Disabling morri 1100s could be regarded as a service to society .

conectors / terminals / shrouds etc same manufacturor.
cars looms tend to be all salvageable, if not cooked in the engine bay.

as for painting bits ? you shouldnt be looking at em .

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

Matt Spencer said:

Its not a Mk III is it ?

It is a Mk3 850

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Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

powerdoc said:

The slit on the side of the switch body/ throttle cable holder where the throttle cable is inserted is about 1/8" wide at it's largest point where the thread are. Is this proper?

Click to expand...

It's closer to 3/32" in my opinion.

Re: Renewing handlebar switches on a Mk3 850.. and a mini-ra

L.A.B. said:

powerdoc said:

The slit on the side of the switch body/ throttle cable holder where the throttle cable is inserted is about 1/8" wide at it's largest point where the thread are. Is this proper?

Click to expand...

It's closer to 3/32" in my opinion.

Click to expand...

Well that's certainly within spec I guess!