Topic: Sloppy turn switch off position

[wowbagger]

I've got a 1971 CB500 with a pretty worn turn signal switch. It still works but finding the off position is getting increasingly more difficult. I dug around on the sight but didn't find any threads discussing how to repair the switch latch/divot.

The switch arm has a bump on it that is supposed to seat into a hole on the switch body when in the off position. The problem appears to be that the last 42 years of use has worn a channel into the switch body so that the bump on the switch arm no longer drops in as securely as it once did. I'll try to get some photos of the switch innards later tonight.

I'm looking for suggestions for repairing the switch action. I've contemplated everything from trying to fill the groove with JB Weld to purchasing a new 3 position slider switch and trying to custom fit it into the switch body.

Has anyone else had this issue? Were these switches just always sloppy? Maybe I've just gotten spoiled with the definitive "click into place" action on my Silver Wing.

[wowbagger]

Well, upon further disassembly (and reading this thread for the right hand control: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0) I found my issue.

The tiny spring behind the ball bearing in the white plastic switch block was missing. Now to hunt for a properly sized spring.

[HondaMan]

Boy, that sure would do it! I had some ballpoint pen springs from smaller-than-normal ballpoint cartridges that worked perfectly in these. So perfectly, I used them all up...

The standard diameter ballpoint springs are a hair too big diameter.

[Bootlegger56]

Brownells has miniature coil spring packs for firearms with OD's of 1/16 thru 5/32....but like most things you get three lifetime supplies for ten bucks instead of just the one you need.

[wowbagger]

Thanks for the tip HondaMan. Looks like I will be disassembling done pens at Staples today until I find the right size. If worse come to worse then I'll buy the lifetime supply, bootlegger.

[wowbagger]

Does anyone know the overall height of this spring? I found one from a pen that is roughly the correct OD but it's way too long. So, I'll have to cut it down.

[wowbagger]

Well, after pulling apart every ball point pen I own I finally found the correct diameter spring. After a bit of mangling I now have a nice and clicky turn switch again. Now, off to the store to replenish my ball point pen stock.

[flybox1]

nice!
What model pen?   
...so we have a reference here in this thread. 

Turn Switch Spring

[wowbagger]

Unfortunately, it was a freebie that I got at a trade show. However, measuring the scrap I have leftover, the OD is 5/16.