76 Convert handlebar switches options

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks, I am sorting my newly accquired convert, which has all the oem small controls, where the wiring runs inside the bars. This bike has sat in a museum for 20 years, and amazingly , all the switches work. These controls are so small, that I cant believe there are actually contacts in there!  I am debating whether to replace them all with aftermarket like K&S, or clean up , and lube the originals, if thats possible. Since the bike has less than 10K original miles, and everything is "unmolested", I am leaning more towards refurbishing the oem ones.

Is there any tutorial available on taking these switches apart, and cleaning them up? Any advice and suggestions much appreciated, as I dont even see any fasteners to take them apart. The headlight / high low switch is an especially "interesting" design!
Rick D.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My opinion: If you're going to ride the bike, replace the original switches with the K&S units. I did and don't regret it. Sold the old switches for $300 on ebay.

[bigbikerrick]

My opinion: If you're going to ride the bike, replace the original switches with the K&S units. I did and don't regret it. Sold the old switches for $300 on ebay.

Thank you, Charlie. I do plan to make the convert a daily driver.I appreciate your advice on replacing them. I would still like to find some information, about taking the oem switches apart, without damaging them. Heck if they bring decent $$ on ebay, I may as well sell them! 

I was looking for your Convert build discussion, I went through all the build threads, but could not find it.
Rick.

[fotoguzzi]

I don’t know for sure but maybe Greg Benders sits has some info. This old tractor.com

[bigbikerrick]

I will check there  Foto.
thanks
Rick.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Thank you, Charlie. I do plan to make the convert a daily driver.I appreciate your advice on replacing them. I would still like to find some information, about taking the oem switches apart, without damaging them. Heck if they bring decent $$ on ebay, I may as well sell them! 

I was looking for your Convert build discussion, I went through all the build threads, but could not find it.
Rick.

I think Jim/canuck750 has posted some photos of disassembling those switches, maybe in the 850 Le Mans rebuild thread. From what I remember, they slide apart from the end and are held together by pins.

I have a Convert rebuild thread on Facebook, but not here.

[acogoff]

    If my memory is correct  Greg Bender has all the specs to make up your harnesses if you go K&S. I know I switched the left switch (lights horn) on my T3 to K&S from original and it was just a matter deciding on the length wire for the pigtail and it pretty much plugged right in.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

    If my memory is correct  Greg Bender has all the specs to make up your harnesses if you go K&S. I know I switched the left switch (lights horn) on my T3 to K&S from original and it was just a matter deciding on the length wire for the pigtail and it pretty much plugged right in.

Greg has a "plug and play" adapter - the K&S switch plugs into one end, the other end plugs into the back of the headlight.




Since I have "civilian" 'bars, the K&S wires were already long enough. I just clipped off the K&S plug, crimped on Molex terminals and clipped them back into the original Molex shell. Same with the right-side switch.

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks for that, Charlie, and acogoff . I didnt know Greg offered that. It makes it very convenient. 
Rick

[ray bear]

I have left all my switches as standard and installed relays , takes all the load off of the switches and they work without any issues, brighter lights too.  I get the tiny 25 A Denso relays from suzuki cars from the auto dismantlers for a couple of bucks each and they fit in the headlight shell easy. The image is of my V7 sport with relays heat shrunk together, very compact

 


post pictures

[Scout63]

I have left all my switches as standard and installed relays , takes all the load off of the switches and they work without any issues, brighter lights too.  I get the tiny 25 A Denso relays from suzuki cars from the auto dismantlers for a couple of bucks each and they fit in the headlight shell easy. The image is of my V7 sport with relays heat shrunk together, very compact

 


post pictures

Clean install Ravbear.