Here's where I put the ignition switch - '78 550

[Guest]

I wanted to get rid of my ignition switch, because it seemed to be in exactly the wrong place for any of the clock/handlebar schemes I had devised. When I replaced the R/R recently, I decided to use the space formerly occupied by the regulator to mount the stock ignition switch. Works well, allows use of the original key, and moves that weight to a lower location. The grommet is from the stock headlight ear assembly.

[Super]

Great idea Chicago Bob! Looks good and even looks factory, good job. My '78 550 is just sitting in the garage waiting for the season to change.

[5azzmonkey]

I wanted to get rid of my ignition switch, because it seemed to be in exactly the wrong place for any of the clock/handlebar schemes I had devised. When I replaced the R/R recently, I decided to use the space formerly occupied by the regulator to mount the stock ignition switch. Works well, allows use of the original key, and moves that weight to a lower location. The grommet is from the stock headlight ear assembly.

Any problems with your leg hitting it?

[Steve]

Nice work, but can you notice the difference in the weight relocation?

.

[TheCafeKid]

Yup. Looks nice. But don't ever drop her. Would suck to get that key snapped off in the lock

[ChicagoBob]

No, I don't notice the weight, and it doesn't hit my leg. My real goal was to clean up the handlebar area, so this was a logical place to put the ignition. Earlier, I simply had a 15A switch mounted in the headlight bucket, which was hidden, but not too secure.

[cormz211]

that is a pretty cool idea how hard was it to do?

[ChicagoBob]

Very easy. I formed some aluminum strap into two angle brackets, drilled holes, bolted them to the ignition switch, then bolted the whole assembly to the threaded lugs for the reglulator (which are on the rear surface of the battery box. if those lugs hadn't been there, I could have drilled the battery box or the airbox for another mounting point.

I opened the wiring harness in the area above the carbs and spliced into the orange and red wires for the ignition connection. In the headlight bucket, I taped off the red and orange wires, and permanently connected the green and brown wires together, because I never use the parking lights.

The hardest part was accurately locating the hole in the side cover. I didn't get it spot-on, but the grommet conceals my errors.

I can imagine other creative ways to dress up the keyhole surround.

Someday, I'd like to make a new key with a flat knob-type handle, so it would lay flat against the side cover.