Toggle Ignition Swtich

Hi Guys,

Anybody have any real world experience/suggestions with ditching the keyed ignition switch and going to a toggle?
I'm thinking off/on (lights and ignition)/ignition only. Tuck it in somewhere out of sight and get rid of the key switch all together. I have no need for lights only.
What about a simple on/off toggle? Is having the ignition only option really that important?

Look forward to your replies.
Ben

Ignition/Lights + Off toggle is fine as long as you can On/Off lights separately via toggle switch on headlight.
You want lights off when cranking.

'70 and before just had an on / off switch.

Greg

I have a mini paddle switch, on/off, near the front top of the oil tank. This is for the Mag./ignition only.
My simple 2 position key switch is for lights, horn, etc. only. I can easily change this to a toggle, being a 2 position situation.

This key switch has 3 pins/connections. The past set up was 1 in from the battery and 2 outputs, 1 going to ignition and 1 for the lights.
I feel if ever you can simplify the wiring, go for it.

I guess the easiest thing is one 3 position switch. All of the wiring is already there for the key switch.
Thanks for the comments!

Ben

You can use an on/off switch (single pull single throw) in place of an ignition switch with very minimal wiring changes. Wire your new on/off switch so that the white wires and the blue/yellow wire are connected to the same switch terminal. Connect the brown/blue battery wire to the other switch terminal. Do not hook up the brown/green wires to the switch however, keep those wires connected together.

In the headlight area take the brown/green wire that went to your pilot light and connect it to your headlight switch at the same terminal as your blue wire. That is all there is too it!

However, if you want to continue using a pilot light you would need a Lucas three position switch (dim, flicker and off?). If you want to go that route let me know.

Peter Joe

I did that on a couple of bikes, a hidden on/off toggle for the ignition and a headlight switch. The key switch is really not a protection for theft, it just keep some idiot from turning on somthing and draining your battery. For added protection, you can just wire in TWO hidden toggle switches in series (need BOTH on to start) nobody will figure it out.

Jean

I have been running a toggle switch for over 30 years the ignition is hidden under my seat and have a toggle in the head light shell for the lights, I never park my bike where its going to get stolen.

Ashley

Thanks for the input everyone.
My memory of the lighting circuit isn't up to par at the moment. I'll have to take a look at the diagram again. I have a modern hi/lo, turn signal and horn switch on the handlebar. The headlight is not on a separate switch currently. It comes on with the key and the handlebar switch is for hi/lo only.
I do have the 3 position toggle on the headlight shell that I can take advantage of, but I still think the easiest way is either a 3 position switch to replace the key switch, or two on/off switches. Just seems like less wiring I have to screw with since it's all at the keyed switch already.
Appreciate the help. I'll get it sorted out.
Ben