Clutch switch replacement

[zubz]

So I'm fixing a few things on my 83 gs450 and one of those things was the brake light. I noticed that it was missing the switch part in the handlebar bar lever, and noticed the clutch lever has a similar mechanism so i took that part and replaced it. Now i realize this was the starter disconnect switch so i will need to replace it. I've searched for the tiny replacement part to no avail. Does anyone have any diy fixes or can i just bridge the terminals on the wire part?

[sedelen]

So I'm fixing a few things on my 83 gs450 and one of those things was the brake light. I noticed that it was missing the switch part in the handlebar bar lever, and noticed the clutch lever has a similar mechanism so i took that part and replaced it. Now i realize this was the starter disconnect switch so i will need to replace it. I've searched for the tiny replacement part to no avail. Does anyone have any diy fixes or can i just bridge the terminals on the wire part?

You can bypass it. Follow the wires down into the headlight and disconnect them, then connect the two wires together that you just disconnected from. What you are doing is essentially bypassing that switch and completing that starter circuit.

Looks like I'm not the only one that lost that little itty bitty spring to places unknown. I did eventually find mine after hours of searching only to find it on top of my engine case by the starter cover. These are easy to find on e-bay all day long.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GS450-GS550-GS750-GS850-GS1000-Clutch-Brake-Switch-/380414736270?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item58927c378e

[Steve]

Bypassing that switch is very common here. Many of us have done it.

Looking at that replacement switch, it would be good to note that there is a very subtle difference between the brake switch and the clutch switch.

The clutch switch has one male, one female bullet connector on the ends of the wires. The brake switch has two males.
Other than that, you can swap them back and forth.

.