Wow its a good thing we don't live closer, I think we would get in trouble. Sounds like we have a lot of the same ideas and questions lol. I'm wanting to do about the same thing. I hate all the crap on the bars, but I also want to keep signals because we ride a LOT at night.

This isn't quite what your thinking but I'd love to get rid of the ignition switch itself.  If there's a way I can toss it and the locking gas cap and just have a button and no key needed at all, then I'm wanting that.  I ain't the least bit worried about the bike being stolen.  Heck, two guys can pick it up and load it any truck in an instant.  Plus, I'd make money if the bike was stolen!  Maybe figuring this out will help BigSingle figure out his project.  

So, how do I go keyless?

diamond jim wrote on 02/14/09 at 22:49:36:


option 1 - Have 2 knurled knobs made with a slot in the center that fits tightly on the key.  Put the key in the knob, put it in the lock, move the knob close to the lock with a little clearance, mark the key along the knob, cut the key at the mark, jb-weld it in place, leave the key in the lock.

Option 2 - the ign is just a double pole switch, replace with a toggle or whatever floats your boat.

Gas cap (fun) Take it apart, on the back of the cylinder is a groove with an o-ring, use a needle to pry it out (don't tear it up) under that o-ring is the keeper pin.  use the needle and pry it up and the cylinder will slip out.  See tool box rekeying for how to rekey.  You should be able to slip all the pins and springs out and put it back together.  Now it will work with any key or screw driver.  To add a lever, find a lever you like hopefully with a square shaft or hex, drill a hole a little smaller and hammer it in.

Gather all the pins and springs put it in an envelope and send it to me  

Update just took apart the ign switch.  It's the same as the gas cap.

You can buy internal cable kits...only thing that makes difference is what size handlebars you have. They mus be able to fit in them...The really nice ones are expencive but you can pick up more generic ones off of ebay....running the cables will be very BIG pain though..if that is the route you wanna go just get ready couse it gonna suck putting it together and must be done right or you will have problems (stiff movement, slow or no return, frayd cables, etc)

I still not onehundred percent sure thats what Im gonna do yet...

I'm dredging my memory banks, a dummy cylinder might be available.
I'll see what I can turn up.

You can simplify the ignition all you want if you use the fork lock religiously.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/16/09 at 10:43:12:


So the 1 big switch acts like the On and Off positions of the ignition switch, right?  So it enables the electrical compenents of the bike.  Does the micro switch replace the starter switch?