Retrofit kill switch on 1970 Commando

solbero · Dec 17, 2025

I am in the process of rebuilding the wiring loom on my 1970 Commando. The ignition switch, however, is placed by the battery and I am dreading if I ever have to kill the engine by reaching down and turning off the ignition at speed.

Do anyone have a suggestion for a kill switch I could retrofit? I have the original Wipac Triconsul fitted and I would like something which is not too intrusive and fits the bike.

kommando · Dec 17, 2025

Fit a Wipac Tricon on the other side of the handlebar and use that as a kill switch, either as circuit breaker or make to earth to suit your ignition setup eg points or EI.

solbero · Dec 17, 2025

I found some information in Grant Tiller's website on how to wire up the Wipac Tricon to act as a kill switch. I'll buy one of the replicas, change the wiring to the correct colors and fit it instead of the original Wipac Triconsul.

tompkins · Dec 17, 2025

I put a miller style horn button with side switch on mine for the kill switch and horn. It’s the only switch on the bars. I also put a Lucas 3 position switch in the headlight for off/on/hi beams. Pretty spartan look with tomaselli style levers & bar end mirrors. 1971 commando

solbero · Dec 17, 2025

tompkins said:
I put a miller style horn button with side switch on mine for the kill switch and horn. It’s the only switch on the bars. I also put a Lucas 3 position switch in the headlight for off/on/hi beams. Pretty spartan look with tomaselli style levers & bar end mirrors. 1971 commando

Sounds nice. Do you have a picture you could post?

ashman · Dec 17, 2025

In 52+ years of riding I have never had a reason to use a kill switch on my handle bars, on my Norton for the Joe Hunt magneto I just use a hidden toggle switch and on my modern Triumphs the ignition switch is in the middle of the gauges, the problem with kill switches you never use is when parked up and some people just can't help themselves an have to touch things on your bike, they love turning off the kill switch to the off position.

concours · Dec 17, 2025

ashman said:
In 52+ years of riding I have never had a reason to use a kill switch on my handle bars, on my Norton for the Joe Hunt magneto I just use a hidden toggle switch and on my modern Triumphs the ignition switch is in the middle of the gauges, the problem with kill switches you never use is when parked up and some people just can't help themselves an have to touch things on your bike, they love turning off the kill switch to the off position.

Lol, just last year, I had a hang throttle on the H2 coming into a sharp 20mph corner on my street (I was rollin 50).
It was MIGHTY HANDY to be able to clutch it, use the front brake and thumb the kill switch all in one fell swoop, coasting to the side laughing.

tompkins · Dec 17, 2025

solbero said:
Sounds nice. Do you have a picture you could post?

solbero · Dec 18, 2025

tompkins said:

That is a clean look. Is that a volt or ammeter on the center bracket between the speedo and tacho?

Fast Eddie · Dec 18, 2025

If you ride fast at night, you NEED to have the main/dip switch on the bars and easy to reach without letting go of the grip IMO…

concours · Dec 18, 2025

Fast Eddie said:
If you ride fast at night, you NEED to have the main/dip switch on the bars and easy to reach without letting go of the grip IMO…

I had the same thoughts.
But, had to remember the parade cycle faction.

Fast
At night

tompkins · Dec 18, 2025

solbero said:
That is a clean look. Is that a volt or ammeter on the center bracket between the speedo and tacho?

It’s an oil gauge

tompkins · Dec 18, 2025

Fast Eddie said:
If you ride fast at night, you NEED to have the main/dip switch on the bars and easy to reach without letting go of the grip IMO…

concours said:
I had the same thoughts.
But, had to remember the parade cycle faction.

Fast
At night

If you ride fast at night where I live you won’t live very long- lotsa deer. And they don’t care how many dip switches you have

tompkins · Dec 18, 2025

concours said:
I had the same thoughts.
But, had to remember the parade cycle faction.

Fast
At night

Also, the bikes done a little over 6000 “parade miles” since the motor was rebuilt in July…

concours · Dec 18, 2025

tompkins said:
If you ride fast at night where I live you won’t live very long- lotsa deer. And they don’t care how many dip switches you

Forest rats understood.
All the more reason to have high beams on anytime you're not meeting oncoming traffic.
Abstaining from nighttime riding is absolutely safer, no question.

solbero · Jan 1, 2026

Thsnks for all the suggestions. I ended up buying a Wipac Triconsul replica. I rewired it with thin wall wire in the correct colors.

Torontonian · Jan 3, 2026

Good luck with the Kill switch issue . I've got a MK 111 now , so don't much need to reach down in an emergency . That said , have soldered up the kill switch permanently to disable it . Enjoy .

Retrofit kill switch on 1970 Commando

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