Ignition Switch Issues

Road Dirt's editor Rob Brooks, with his old mechanic dad's help, disassembles, repairs, and reassembles two Yamaha motorcycle ignition switches, rather than purchase new ones.

[@Dan-vz9bm]

Ignition can be replaced if the worst happens, but the friendship and love between father and son is priceless. Love this video and I hope today's generation learn to repair instead of throw away. Respect to you both. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿UK

[@roaddirttv]

Thank you Dan. My father passed away this past September, so your kind comments and my many memories with him are now extra special to me. Blessings on you across the pond.

[@reneerussell7823]

Pretty sure this is the problem on my 2007 VFR. Already did stator, RR and new battery. I get marker lights and a flicker on emergency mode when I get past start. Now I see how it works, it make sense. Thank you!

[@roaddirttv]

Glad this helped!

[@nja3224]

Nothing like fathers. I see this was 4 years ago, I hope he is still around and doing well. Next month will be 15 years since my dad passed and not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I miss that man. Anyway, my bike is dead. No power when switched on. Battery, main and all other fuses are fine. I have power going to the starter relay, that's as far as my troubleshooting went. Going to continue trying to figure this out later, but I'm thinking it might be the ignition switch. I just discovered when I turn the key to Park, the rear does light up. I want to throw a multimeter on the switch before I even attempt to take it apart. Been dead in the water a week today and it sucks! Nice video!

[@roaddirttv]

Hi Nick. My father died just over two years ago, Sept. 1, 2021. Every time I watch this video, and so many others I have with him, the memories flood back, and it chokes me up. Like you, I miss my dad dearly. Best of luck as you troubleshoot your bike!

[@nja3224]

@@roaddirttv- Hi, thanks, heading out in a bit to continue troubleshooting. Sorry to hear about your dad, I totally get it.

[@johnmatthews5321]

You and your dad together working in bikes makes me feel better thank you

[@roaddirttv]

Thank you John. Makes me happy that it blessed you. Sadly, Dad passed away Sept 1, 2021, after a lengthy decline from a stroke. So this video with him is very treasured now, for sure.

[@roaddirttv]

Please note: Don’t cut off the rivet heads and “break into” your ignition switch housing if your bike is still under warranty, as you’ll be cutting off your warranty as well. Just thought we’d better mention that...

[@Skook-gk5re]

Had the same thing happen to me... no power anywhere lights nothing!!! Thanks for the video!!!!!

[@roaddirttv]

Glad you found it helpful! Sadly, Pops passed away last September, so this video with him is now extra special.

[@neilharvey94]

Don't cut them like that. Use bolt extractors. Drill a hole in the top, then unscrew with the bolt extractor. Those are security bolts intended to be difficult to remove.

[@trainmaster0217]

I have a KZ440 that loses spark at random times. Might go 10 miles before it quits or it might go 10 feet before I lose spark and am dead along side the road. But after some time it fires back up again and now I suspect that I'm turning the ignition switch off and on a few times make contact again. Replaced the coil and igniter but no change. I'm suspecting the ignition switch. Checked all the wiring. Your video has given me hope. Thanks for sharing it. I do plan on running a wire straight to the coil to bypass the ignition and kill switches. If it works then I suspect the ignition switch. If it doesn't then the only thing left is the pickup coil that feeds the igniter.

[@roaddirttv]

I’m honestly rather inept when it comes to electrical. Pops was more proficient at that than I am. Glad our father-son video offered you some hope and encouragement. Best to you, my friend.

[@cjsmith6689]

Enjoy that time with your dad. I'd kill for a dad to do stuff like that with... 😔

[@roaddirttv]

He passed away last September 1, after a stroke toward the end of 2020. I miss him terribly.

[@cjsmith6689]

@@roaddirttv I'm sorry for your loss 😔

[@trainmaster0217]

Man, that is tough to hear after seeing you and your father together. I never had that kind of relationship with my father. He passed away and I didn't even know about it til a week later. So sorry for your loss.@@roaddirttv

[@roaddirttv]

@@trainmaster0217 saddens my heart that you missed out on a good relationship with your father. Blessings on ya,

[@trainmaster0217]

I too miss my father very much. He accused me of stealing $4000 from him. He told me to get out and never come back as I was not a son to him any more and threw a few fists at me. He found out a bit later that his granddaughter stole the money...but, that was OK. He never apologized to me. I tried all my life to be a good son to him. All he had to do was snap his fingers and I was there to help him in anyway I could. But...that wasn't enough. Never saw him again for the last 4 years of his life. Cherish those beautiful memories of your Dad. I wish I could of mine.

[@melissasmess2773]

I think this is what's going on with my 2009 Raider that lived on the coast and had previously had the switch replaced!

[@rickkinnally7]

I love that he's using air tools

[@roaddirttv]

He’s since passed away from a stroke, so this video with him is quite dear to our hearts.

[@rickkinnally7]

Pictures are all you have in the end

[@roaddirttv]

@@rickkinnally7 and fond memories. Until we meet again, on the other side,

[@GBSlynan]

I will try that tomorrow on my 84 yamaha xj600, as there is no continuity on the 2 larger cables, + in, and guess + out.

[@ericwoodard8332]

All these yamaha ignitions have this problem. You don't cut thr rivets out you drill the head. Sorry to hear that your father past.

[@roaddirttv]

Thank you Eric.

[@ericmartin6657]

Don't forget to cover that casing hole up with something at least tape so water don't get in it again

[@roaddirttv]

We resealed it 👍🏻

[@roy1516]

Wd 40 does wonders

[@1wannabee1]

(lol) I'm sitting here laughing away. Why? because when I saw the meter that your using? thats the exact 1 that I have,(lol). Great clip mate and I'm going to now try and see if I can sort out MY bike and why the Hell it wont start. Tc now and thanks.

[@roaddirttv]

Best to ya!

[@zhanandryan2277]

Hey buddy hope you’re doing well My question is I have a aftermarket ignition switch which has 4 wires red,black, green, and black and white wires but my bike has a 3 wires White,brown and gray wires so how should I connect if you can help me with that please thanks . By the way bike is a 17 Kawasaki z125

[@roaddirttv]

Not sure we can help with that, being unfamiliar with either your aftermarket switch or the specifics of your Z125. Best to take that up with your local Kawa mechanic.

[@francolenzoottawa6914]

Wd40 Dry lube worked for me...

[@curtn7076]

Thanks for the info! I'm gonna try this on my victory vision tour. The bike starts and lights work but dashboard is not lit up, no brake lights or any other accessories working.

[@dg1234ify]

Your Dad is, "We The People".

[@roaddirttv]

Indeed he was. He passed away in Sept. 2021, after a debilitating stroke. He is missed dearly.

[@Cruise-InTV]

Box of masks on the bench…put one on 🤡

[@johnmatthews5321]

Power loyalty and respect Fresno CA