850T Start with the key

[swooshdave]

If I understand correctly you can use your key to start the bike on the V7 Sport. My 850T ignition has a start position but it doesn't do anything.

Is it just a matter of wiring it up to work or is there more to it than that?

Why would they disable the key?

[fotoguzzi]

Didn't the police Eldorado's have that too? maybe your T has the same ignition switch but it's wired differently to the start button.. time to research wiring diagrams..

[canuck750]

If I understand correctly you can use your key to start the bike on the V7 Sport. My 850T ignition has a start position but it doesn't do anything.

Is it just a matter of wiring it up to work or is there more to it than that?

Why would they disable the key?

Correct, the Nieman ignition switch on the 850T is different from the type used on the V Sport. I use Renault Nieman style ignition switches when I rebuild the V7 Sport / 750S bikes and there are four wires in the switch block, one that can be wired to the '3rd' position of the switch to engage the starter.

[swooshdave]

Correct, the Nieman ignition switch on the 850T is different from the type used on the V Sport. I use Renault Nieman style ignition switches when I rebuild the V7 Sport / 750S bikes and there are four wires in the switch block, one that can be wired to the '3rd' position of the switch to engage the starter.

So should the stock 850T switch have a start position to the far right? It feels like a car ignition switch. Or has it been replaced with one from a V7?

[Kiwi_Roy]

I wired my Eldo to start with the key, there is one disadvantage.
If you stall the bike in gear, left hand is tied up holding the clutch in
Right hand is turning the key so you cannot crank the throttle.

Luckily the bike starts ok but if it was a hard starter it could get awkward stalling at the lights.

[bobdar]

So should the stock 850T switch have a start position to the far right?

Yes, the stock 850T key switch has the "start" position but no, it apparently was never intended to be used.  I have the same key switch, but the start position is not used and never was on my T.  The 850T wiring diagram shows that the start pushbutton merely completes the circuit to ground to activate the solenoid.  It might be possible to rewire everything to utilize the key switch start position (switching the positive), but it doesn't appear to be a simple deal.  The V7 diagram shows the pushbutton switching the positive to the solenoid, which would make it somewhat simpler to utilize the key switch.

[rodekyll]

I wire mine to use the key after the pillbox switch died on Rollonda, my Ambo.  I've done it preemptively on a relay ever since.  It's less confusing and you don't need to hack up your existing wires if you just run a new circuit.  I assumed they all had the spring-return start position.  A standard marine switch is a drop in replacement if yours doesn't.  What Roy says is true.  You can't start it in gear.  It's a neutral safety "feature.". At least that's what I tell  myself. 

[swooshdave]

I wired my Eldo to start with the key, there is one disadvantage.
If you stall the bike in gear, left hand is tied up holding the clutch in
Right hand is turning the key so you cannot crank the throttle.

Luckily the bike starts ok but if it was a hard starter it could get awkward stalling at the lights.

Although on the 850T you can leave the starter button and have an option, assuming you wire it correctly.