[MadeThatMyself]

Question for the electrical folks- I'm rewiring a 400t project from scratch and picked up a 2 position on-off key. What would be the best way to wire a key into a custom harness?

Bike is going to be kickstart only with a 4 cell antigravity battery, microblade fuse block, and LED lighting. The only original electrical wiring will be from the engine up to the CDI unit and a new MOSFET reg/rec.

Thanks!

 

[HamHock]

Can you give me more details on the switch you have? A picture of the wiring or terminals would be very helpful.

 

[MadeThatMyself]

Thanks HamHock. The switch is a Drag Specialties round key ignition switch (link and photo below). I'm willing to change my plans if this doesn't look like the right switch type for the bike.

Drag Specialties Round Key Ignition Switch - DS-272113 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle - Dennis Kirk

Find the Drag Specialties Round Key Ignition Switch - DS-272113 at Dennis Kirk. Shop our complete selection of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle parts and accessories including the Drag Specialties Round Key Ignition Switch - DS-272113.

www.denniskirk.com

 

[66Sprint]

That can turn the battery power on and off, but will not "kill" the engine when turned off....
You need a DPST/ 1 pole NO, 1 pole NC switch......OR a relay set-up.....

 

[HamHock]

While the switch you have might be made to work, for only about $15 and an hour or so of effort you can have he key you want, integrated nicely into your existing wiring.

Check out the switch in this link:
CB400 Ignition switch

A few years back I installed one on my 1982 CB450SC, the one loose wire needs to have a spade terminal crimped on so it can be inserted into the connector block with the other 5 wires. I have an in-depth write up in my project log it's the second post on the first page. I guess this is not a true "on/off" as it does retain the setting the parking lights found on Euro models.

 

[66Sprint]

 

[MadeThatMyself]

Thanks for the electrical diagram 66Sprint. That is exactly what I was envisioning after you mentioned using a relay. This makes perfect sense to me.

HamHock- thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately so much of my bike has been modified that a stock switch replacement is no longer possible unless it is relocated anyways.

One of these days I'm going to start a build thread of my project but here's a sneak peak...

 

[HamHock]

The switch that I linked DOES NOT FIT THE STOCK LOCATION, on my bike it is mounted on the frame. It DOES connect to stock wiring. LMAO, you can see that in the build I linked. Good luck figuring something else out, I'd like to see what you come up with.

 

[MadeThatMyself]

Sorry HamHock. When I looked at your post i assumed it was a stock location replacement switch. Now I see where you mounted it. I assume you wired this into the stock handlebar kill switch? I swapped out all the handlebar controls so I no longer have that part of the oem wiring harness.

I think I'm going to try the relay route since I should have space for this in my electronics tray

 

[MadeThatMyself]

Wanted to post the end result on my key situation. I picked up a relay from Amazon that worked out perfect.

Relay is wired as normally closed and grounds the kill switch wire from the CDI unit. When the key is switched, it send power from the battery to the blade fuse block and the relay, which then opens and breaks the ground connection on the kill switch wire.

Really happy with the end result. Thanks for all the input.