Change of the ignition switch

[Gallinazorey]

Hi Guys,

Ok here is the guy with 2 left hands with a (basic) question: I am trying to change the ignition switch for my bike. Apparently its bust because when the key is in certain positions the electrical system goes crazy (rpms dont work, directional and horn dont work and light goes on and off)

So I bought an ignition switch and cannot figure out how to access it. I took of the two side screws for the bottom cover and could not go on. I know these are really basic questions but I have never done this before.

Thanks

[Justin B.]

There is a threaded "nut" with two holes for a pin-spanner (one can usually use a pair of needle-nose or snap-ring pliers with good results) that secures the switch against the instrument pad that needs to be removed and also a couple of clips on the rear underneath side of the padded cover that need to be un-snapped.

[Gallinazorey]

ok, so I actually had to dismantel the whole front (guages & headlight) to get to it and finally changed it but the problem persists. Another thoery I have been told is that the voltage regulator has failed and thus I cooked my battery so I have ordered a new battery and voltage regulator(this could be as not long ago I found batery acid next to the bike and refilled it, could have happened from over heating...). I have also ordered a multimeter to see what voltage is comming from the battery, something I should have done to begin with

QUESTION: Where can I find the voltage regulator in the bike?

Thanks

[Bob_Roller]

You need to remove the fuel tank, and if it is the original voltage regulator, it will look like a metal can with usually red tape around the join for the cover, approximate diensions 5 cm high, 4 cm wide, and 7 cm long, and it is attached by two bolts or screws.

There's a chance it's been replaced before, and the replacement could be a red and black plastic case component.

[Gallinazorey]

Do I need to take out all the gas or by closing the fuel tap should be enough?
 :-/

[Bob_Roller]

You don't need to remove the fuel, just turn the fuel tap to the off position, which is the lever in the horizontal position.

Remove the fuel line.
  
If the tank is full, it can be a bit heavy.

If you have never removed the tank before,  you need to open the seat, remove the tool tray, then there is a large wire 'bial' that fits over the end of the frame tube, pull it aft, and then you can remove the tank by pulling it aft out of it's rubber mounts at the front of the tank.

[Gallinazorey]

DONE! Easy does it! Actually, I cannot believe how easy it was... 8-)

[mikethebike]

Yeah! I agree!  It seems too easy to me!  I often wonder if anybody has had one come loose on the road?

[Yikes]

Never had the tank come loose on the road, but when we were having starter relay issues, I had to take the tank off every time I started the bike to push the starter relay with my finger.  The little procedure always drew quite a bit of attention on busy city streets.  Before I finally replaced the relay, could have the tank off, relay pushed, bike running, tank on and moving inside of 30 seconds.

[Ed Miller]

I love how easy stuff is to remove from my R65 for servicing, including not just the fuel tank but both wheels.  Oh yeah, and the valve covers for (ever more frequent!) adjustment.  

[suecanada]

Gee Ed...you sound like me awhile ago....think Ted Porter!!

Anyway, I am sooooo happy and somewhat smug about how easy our bikes are to service.....when my throttle stuck and we didn't really know what we were going to do, the gas tank was off and lugged away for safety (gas IS heavy) in no time flat.
Just one warning..be careful putting the tank back on as there is a tendency for the front of it to hit the steering head area and bang off some precious paint. I sacrifice my hand until I get it properly lined up and pushed down. What I do for LRB!

[MrRiden]

Trolle made this visual of the relays / regulators under the tank. just to add a visual
rich

[msbuck]

Yeah, I LOVE the easy removal of the gas tank!  

One year at the Flat track races at Daytona, I hit reserve on the way in and thought, I'll fill up on the way out, don't want to be late for the races!  Well, I didn't anticipate the LOONG wait in line to get OUT of the track after the races...just as we made it to the road and picked up speed (after midnight)...cough, cough, ugh - I'm out of gas!    So, we try to wave a few people over, but they have also just hit their speed and have NO intention of stopping!  So Graham says, "It'll help if they know what we need!"  We take the tank off the bike and hold it up at the cars passing by.  A step van pulls over, one of the race teams, and says, "Looks like you need some gas."  Yea!  They filled us up with their 100 octane race fuel and we were on our way.  

[trolle]

How far can your r65 go without a tank?

greetings from a droughty north (I don't know if drought can be used adjectivally, but now it has been done) with very fine driving conditions

trolle

[Yikes]

Assuming "without a tank" is roughly equal to starting up with the petcock switched Off, I can go about 1/8 mile.  Something I still do much too often.