Topic: Help Neutral Switch 76 750K

[britman]

I need some help.  The neutral switch was not working when I brought the bike home, it would stay on in neutral but just dimmed down when you shifted to other gears, it was just not as bright in drive gears.  I have checked the wiring, and all is good.  I pulled the switch this afternoon since I had good access having removed the old exhaust system.  I cleaned the switch,  thinking the ball may have been corroded but it looked in good shape.  When I hook the wire to the switch terminal and ground it against the engine case and depress the ball completely the light goes out.  When installed back in the hole, the light stays on bright now no matter what gear the bike is in.   I used my inspection camera and it looks like the indent is in place in shifting mechanism when the bike is in neutral. I am walking away for tonight having put the damn thing in a half dozen times with same results. Am I doing something wrong guys, what gear should the bike be in to install the switch in the proper set up mode.  My thought process now is the maybe the spring is worn in the switch and not making proper contact.  Before I shell out money for a new switch I thought I would see if you guys might have some idea as to what the problem may be.   Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions...... 

[beemerbum]

Sounds like you have gone above and beyond in the diagnosis. I had the identical problem with a 1977 K7 750. A new switch solved the problem.

[BenelliSEI]

Agreed.... you done it all. Another switch?

[BenelliSEI]

Any chance the indicator lamp is getting the ground from somewhere else along the wire’s length?? When the light is ON, does it go OFF when you pull the wire off the switch?

[beemerbum]

Just thought of it. The size of the O ring on the switch seems to be critical. When my problem was finally solved, I had ordered the OEM O ring that goes on the switch as well as a new switch. Hondaman in his book, says the O ring must be 18x3mm size.

[britman]

Any chance the indicator lamp is getting the ground from somewhere else along the wire’s length?? When the light is ON, does it go OFF when you pull the wire off the switch?

No when the wire is disconnected, the light goes out.  Going to shop around tonight for who has the best price on a new one.  Thanks beemerbum for the tip on the o ring.  I am leaning toward spring pressure since initially the light would dim when in a drive gear.  Sounds like the ball is not going all the way down.  Plenty of of other stuff to do while waiting for the part.  Thanks all and have a great weekend....

George   

[enwri]

If it won't go in that last little bit for the ball to make contact, maybe the shift drum has moved laterally. The switch holds it from moving sideways.  Moving the gearlever without it in will move it out of alignment.
The switch does screw apart but was brittle and may just crumble if you try to open it. Mine was full of mildly conductive sludge. Cleaned it, fitted it back together and sealed it with epoxy.
Then couldn't get it to seat properly, eventually had to re centre the groove in the drum to line up with the switch opening and it seated.
I do sort of remember something about fat O-rings as well.
It's been nearly ten years without leaking.

[beemerbum]

The thickness of the O ring seems crucial to the switch functioning properly. It essentially determines how far the switch will go up into its cavity. In my case, the OEM Honda O ring did the trick

[britman]

OEM switch and o-ring will be here next week, will post after arrival.  I can't believe something so mechanical and simple in function can be such a PITA.

[ekpent]

I had a neutral switch on one of my 750's that would leak oil straight through and on to the floor. Made it look like a Triumph was parked there - Oh My - 

[MauiK3]

I had a new leaker too, got another and it’s ok.

[britman]

I had a neutral switch on one of my 750's that would leak oil straight through and on to the floor. Made it look like a Triumph was parked there - Oh My - 

I am old, grumpy, and crusty, but I think you just hurt my feelings........I will do my best to muddle through however........

[ekpent]

I remember your thread on that when you bought it. Great looking bike. Thought you mentioned you had her sealed up pretty well ? Some bikes just have more personality then others. 

[britman]

I remember your thread on that when you bought it. Great looking bike. Thought you mentioned you had her sealed up pretty well ? Some bikes just have more personality then others. 

Still leaks a little, just has to be.  I rode it to a bike meet yesterday morning, it was one of the few real vintage machines there and of course it drew tons of attention and photos.  The Son-in-law and I rode over together with him on his new Royal Enfield and sidecar which is still scaring the crap out of him until he gets the hang of it the help of a professional to dial it in.  He did find a gentlemen at the gathering who came on a new Triumph Bonneville with a rig who gave him tons of advice and sources for set up.  He also had a little dog who Scot, my Son-in-law bent down to pet and came up with the little bastard handing on his hand with very sharp teeth.  After leaving a blood trail in the parking lot and going through several provided band aids he went home having drawn quite a bit of attention from the crowd and some ribbing from me.  My time came when I went back to the Triumph to head home  and found the biggest crowd of the day around the bike.  After answering a few questions, I went to start it and of course hit the tickler for a tad too long, (in hindsight I realize now it would fired without a tickle being such a warm day), the bike completely flooded and after kicking it over until the leg gave out, it would not start in front of all gathered.  Scot came back over with an adjustable wrench and with a drain of the monobloc carb, it fired on the first kick.  Moral of the whole story, never make fun a fellow who get attacked by a small mean dog, you will have payback in the end......

[ekpent]

 Sounded like quite an adventure ! Sometimes those little dogs can be the most unpredictable,got nailed on my lip once by one that was friendly at first then nailed me when I looked away while sitting on a sofa. Never fails when you have a crowd gathered around Murphy's law has to kick in. 

[britman]

Just FYI as a follow up.   They occasionally go bad apparently.  New switch, perfect neutral light.......

[BenelliSEI]

Just FYI as a follow up.   They occasionally go bad apparently.  New switch, perfect neutral light.......

Excellent! Sometimes it’s the best solution.....

[HondaMan]

Back about 2011 or so, I bought 4 of the oEM switches from Honda for engines I was building that winter. 2 of them leaked, from brand new! The sealant they installed (epoxy type) didn't fill in all the threads of the phenolic insulator, and it (they) weeped whenever hot. They don't warranty them, either...
I got 2 more and those were fine. I still have one of those left, probably going into this next engine, from the looks of the present one.