Topic: Kill switch / Starter question

[markg]

1976 Honda CB550
My starter switch finally gave out and I decided to take it apart and replace it, with everything back together I noticed something odd, the starter button still turned the starter motor even when the kill switch was in the "off" position.

So my question is:
With the key in the ignition in the "on" position and the kill switch in the "off" position is the starter button in it's "on" position still supposed to work?  Is this normal?  Have I just never noticed it before?  Or did I rewire something terribly wrong?

thanks for your help

[mystic_1]

Normal.

The kill switch interrupts power to the coils and points only.

mystic_1

[lordmoonpie]

+1 - worth knowing so if you're lazy or thorough, depending on the situation, you can circulate the oil in your motor before firing it up, eg. after a rebuild, turn it on the starter in 5 second bursts....well maybe not the best for the starter but hey! It works

[Alan F.]

Another point is that on bikes with vacuum petcocks you can leave the kill switch off and crank the motor for a few seconds to be sure the float bowls have some fuel in them before actually trying to fire the engine.