Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all I got my 2016 Bullet out for a ride over weekend after sitting for the winter. I turned the ignition no power light or starter button working. I fiddler with ignition barrel the hexagon shaped nut around the key slot was loose. I gently hand tightened fiddled with the key and she started up. Went for a ride stopped for a brew and on trying to start no power again fiddled the keys and she fired up. I tried kick starting when the problem occurred but was unable to. I believe it’s a ignition connection issue , any ideas.
Reds

First off check the terminals on the four wires connected to the back of the switch are tight and corrosion free. These are in the headlamp shell.

Next I would give a good squirt of WD40 down the keyhole and wiggle the key back and forth a couple of times. See if that fixes the problem. If it does, I'd then give it a blast of contact cleaner solvent to remove the WD40 residue (a dust trap) and finish off with a squirt of silicone lube to stop it happening again.

The key switches are cheaply made and a bit crappy though, I've had a couple fail. Easily replaced (4 connectors and that one big nut) but you might have to buy a new petrol cap too if it's a locking one and you want them to be keyed alike.

I actually dismantled my petrol cap and took the wafers out of the lock so it can be opened with any key (or indeed anything you stick down there).

Don't put WD40 in locks, it leaves a gummy deposit. GT85 would be better.

PeteF wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:40 pm

Don't put WD40 in locks, it leaves a gummy deposit. GT85 would be better.

You should maybe go back and read my post more thoroughly.

Sorry SW
Note to self - don't just skim posts