Forum

[dave the Man]

learned ones, 2002 bullet 350, problems when starting ie, when key in ignition i have to 'wiggle' it about to get a contact which means i can kick off the beast. do i need a new barrel or what? also my speedo aint working , when i lok i find the bit that the cablre screws onto aint there, do i need a new speedo thiny to go onto my front hub?

[Alan R]

Hello DAVE, ---------- Yes, those ign. switches have a history of coming loose inside...my mates 2005 Bullet 65 went open Circuit on him last year right in the middle of a sponsored ride at MATLOCK !!---------- I'd get a new switch myself !!.... The speedo drive gearbox fitted on the side of the front wheel hub should have an inner part that has a square hole in it for the cable to fit into...Sounds like yours is missing / broke ??........ These "gearboxes" seem to be a standard item across a lot of the classic British makes of the time....there's usually some on E-bay or new from our hosts (I think) or the many Indian suppliers on-line..... If you have a PLASTIC bodied one fitted then I would change that to a metal one as a matter of course..'coz thay iz crap !! ( done that on both my Classic 500's )---------------

[grunda 12]

i must say this dave ,i also had a dodgy ignition barrell but i fixed it ,just to add some salt i fitted a brand new alloy speedo drive on my g12 bike and it lasted a year then failed ,so i went back to the plastic drive which can be fully dismantled and cleaned and regreased ,so in my humble opinion the plastic 1 is best and you can buy around 10 for the cost of an alloy 1 atb paul.

[PeteF]

I had to read that twice!
Couldn't work out why a dicky switch would necesitate the replacement of the (cylinder) barrel.
Like Paul, my posh alloy drive unit didn't last long so the old plastic one went back on. If you do need a new one the plastic ones are fine.

[jaffa90]

As Alan R states,new switch needed providing the whole assembly is not loose.

[Beezabryan]

Got through a few ignition switches over the years but since I carried a spare on the Big Adventure MKII that is still with the bike my troubles seem to have disappeared...........Speedo failed 1999, cable intact, drive turning but found cable sloppy fit, silver foil from cigarette pack wrapped round cable end and all was happiness for many years.....only bothered replacing the drive when preparing for Big Adventure and in reality that was only because I came across one real cheap at a jumble...Both were metal.