Broken Starter Button

[slowride]

Has anyone broke a starter button? No, I did not beat it up because I couldn't get my ride started yesterday. Anyway, I'm looking for a new button. I've been to Flatout and Bike Bandit and it looks like I need the entire new assembly (just for that little black plastic button). Is that accurate? Can I get a used one anywhere, or is that not advisable?

I have it taped on for now and it works but I can't go very long with taping it (unless maybe I duct tape it).

Ed

[spyug]

For things like that I usually try my local bike wreckers first. Take the part with you and see if you can match it up. Sometimes you can just buy the button but you may have to buy the whole assembly, but since it is used it shouldn't run more than $10/20.

I would also take a look in places like Radio Shack or other electronics repair stores as they may have something that would fit or could be bodged (reworked) to fit.

If you are half ways handy, you might be able to from something up from epoxy putty ( plumbers 2 part epoxy putty...Home Depot, Lowes etc) which can be shaped like kids PlayDo and hardens like a rock in 10 or 15 minutes. It can be filed and drilled and painted also.

Hope this helps a bit.

Good luck with the project.
Cheers,
Spyug.

[slowride]

Thanks spyug. I did go to the local wrecker and he wanted $40.00 for the assembly. I also put a thread in the parts wanted section. I will try to go to Radio Shack today and other local electronics store AND I'm going to try to glue it together.

Ed

[Carter Turk]

If you measure the button and describe the shape, I have a few lying around Most of my spare parts are off 1100's-50's and maybe a few 550ES parts.

If the 850 housing is similar and you just need the button PM me I'll send it out tomorrow.

[beachbum3478]

is your horn button the same as the starter button haha

[slowride]

The starter button appears to be identical to the horn button. It is round and measures 0.475 inches in diameter and 0.300 in height. The height is the broken part, the rest is still in the assembly which I'll be taking off the bike in a little while. I might have a button coming from another source but not sure yet. Carter Turk, bonanzadave was also looking for one. Thanks.

Ed

[DPage]

Just picking up on a thread from 2008 where the black starter button on the right handlebar switch has broken. The parts fiches don't offer the buttons separately, you have to buy the whole switch or scrounge them off a parts bike.

I can probably machine this part using 1/2" acrylic rod and offer them cheap to people who need them. However, I don't know the exact dimensions of the button. On the exposed part of my '82 850G, I get a diameter of .464", or a little less than 12MM, but don't know the dimensions where it fits inside the switch.

Does anybody know what the dimensions of the complete button are, or could anybody loan me one so I can measure it accurately? I would send it back to the owner in less than a week.

Also, I'm curious about how common these buttons are across GS models. Earlier in this thread, there was an observation that the left horn button is the same as the right starter button, but is there knowledge about whether a 550L button, say, is the same as an 1100G? The more common they are, the easier it is for me to produce.

Thanks

[trumpetguy]

Is there any update here? My 1982 GS1100E horn button just broke. I have both pieces if that helps...

[bonanzadave]

bonanzadave was also looking for one.

I got one from a generous GSR member. Yes, the Horn and Start buttons are the same. Dont lose the spring and contactor.

[ShortyzKustomz]

I bet you could find one that would work at Radioshack, All my momentary buttons on my bagged truck are from there

[Steve]

I bet you could find one that would work at Radioshack, ...

Evidently your Radio Snack is better-equipped than mine.

The one here has a boat load of phones, some stereo equipment and a few toys. Basically a useless store now.

.

[DPage]

OK, Trumpetguy sent me his button, and I was able to duplicate it with black acrylic rod. Hopefully it works (he will let me know I'm sure). If it does, I'll make these available to GS members at about $3 a pop. The parts fiches show the button, but you have to buy the whole switch (left hand blinker or right hand starter) in order to get the button. If the button is all you need, not the whole switch, PM me.

This starter/horn button works on large bikes (850+) but my guess is that it will fit just about any GS because the parts between models are so common. This is a work in progress, so we'll see exactly what it fits.

[bonanzadave]

Ill be your 1100 guinea pig. I have an extra LT hand switch. Send me a button and Ill let ya know if it works.....

[bonanzadave]

Ill be your 1100 guinea pig. I have an extra LT hand switch. Send me a button and Ill let ya know if it works.....

Works perfect !! Thanks Dave. Thats a great option for broken Horn / Start buttons.

[Skateguy50]

Evidently your Radio Snack is better-equipped than mine.

The one here has a boat load of phones, some stereo equipment and a few toys. Basically a useless store now.

.

They have gone down in what they stock but my local radio shack still has a bunch of drawers full of useful things like the momentary switch that I soldered in as my new start button, and a toggle switch for my new kill switch.

Just last weekend I took to fixing my wife's waffle iron that stopped working, after some testing found the issue to be the thermal fuse. Not only did the local radio shack have the right temp and amp fuse the kid at the register knew what I meant when I said I needed a 240 degree Cecilius thermal fuse, and where to find it. well i had to settle for one a bit lower but worse case with lower is it burns out sooner.

Oh and waffles where delicious