83 interstate starter switch sticking

[goldflash]

Hey- Here,s another problem. The headlight on my 83 hasn't worked since I got it . I thought it was burned out- but I was trying to start the bike the other day and after running for a bit the light magically came on. The starter button seems a little sticky and I was wondering if there wasn't a how 2 on taking it apart and cleaning it or some good advice from someone who has done it and what to expect IE springs flying out. Thanks GF

 

[slabghost]

I haven't had the 83 start button apart but I have several others. Tiny little screws inside the housing holding things together. Tiny spring to return button. Disconnect the battery first. Then I suggest you open the housing and take pictures. Refer to them for reassembly. Clean the contacts with rubbing alcohol and then polish them with a fresh pencil eraser. Be sure the button moves free. Furniture polish will lube the button nicely at the housing. Coat the contacts with dielectric grease and reassemble.

 

[dan filipi]

Furniture polish aye?
Would that be sprayed on the plastic parts?

 

[joedrum]

i tell you what theres noth wost than those buttons and comtrols on those in bar wiring stuff sheeesh ..my club fisted hands were useless

 

[goldflash]

Thanks for the help. I'm with Joedrum- I can't believe how much stuff ends up in that starter button thingy.Its a little intimidating. The polish sounds like a good idea. Ill give it a shot and let you know how things turn out. GF

 

[slabghost]

Furniture polish aye?
Would that be sprayed on the plastic parts?

Yes. :good:

 

[mwbill37841]

:shock: and you'll also have that nice lemony smeel too :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: :mrgreen:

 

[chilidawg]

I had the same deal happen to me intermitantly, soon after I installed the HID headlight, so of course there's me going down the bad ballast road straight off the bat, so after messing with it for hours and then realizing it had to be the starter button, I sat on the bike and prodded at it about 50 times, hasn't happened since, but thanks for the tip on the furniture polish.

 

[Ansimp]

If you find some reasonable quality silicon spray it can bring the color back into your switchgear. It also helps with sticking parts, unfortunately it also attracts dust. My switchgear on the CBRs were almost white (at least grey) and hardly any color in the labelling and buttons. They look great now.

 

[dan filipi]

If you find some reasonable quality silicon spray it can bring the color back into your switchgear. It also helps with sticking parts, unfortunately it also attracts dust. My switchgear on the CBRs were almost white (at least grey) and hardly any color in the labelling and buttons. They look great now.

I find Armor All works pretty good to bring the black back.
Works real good on the black plastic auto trim.

 

[Ansimp]

Amoral is good but it attracts even move dust than silicon spray

 

[flash2002]

I had the same deal happen to me intermitantly, soon after I installed the HID headlight, so of course there's me going down the bad ballast road straight off the bat, so after messing with it for hours and then realizing it had to be the starter button, I sat on the bike and prodded at it about 50 times, hasn't happened since, but thanks for the tip on the furniture polish.

That is why I did this to my lights.

 

[slabghost]

Amoral is good but it attracts even move dust than silicon spray

Armoral is a good product and on plastics where it works it can be dried off and remain slick and shiny a long time. I can't recall now what plastic gave me trouble with it but I remember once it made the plastic parts sticky. I never was able to un do that. Which is why I prefer furniture polish or a bit of car wax. Real wax not the synthetic stuff.