CB550 Lost Ignition - Help Needed

[deltarider]

Thanks. Last year I did a measurement, both voltage drop and Ohms. Nothing is the matter, but it's good to know how to do it. I've wondered, because I've seen quite some bikes with damaged red caps.

[Oddjob]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335596717608

I'm with Phil on this one, open it up and clean the contacts, I've done it before and it's fairly easy.

[andy120t]

I've seen suggestions on this forum about putting the wiring loom in the dishwasher to clean it. I wonder if that would that work with something like this (ie - does the dishwasher trick clean terminals, or just the oil etc from the outside of the wires)  to avoid dismantling?

[MrBaklava]

Thanks for all the comments folks,

I've given it a proper clean and sanded all contact points. Reassembled carefully and it still doesn't work.

Very weird - it's as if the circular dial is a few degrees out when the unit is assembled. I can get the ignition to turn on when using only the plastic part at the bottom, but when I insert this back into the key mechanism (that has an asymmetric male tab) the key won't turn the ignition on.

I guess they do wear out, and that's why those replacements are available!

If it comes to it, I'll order one from the USA, but ideally I could get this fixed asap. Thanks for sharing the links!

[Sesman]

Sorry to hear that. You seem to have exhausted all repair options, unless it’s possible to compensate for the apparent wear with epoxy or similar.

[Seabeowner]

Been away for a couple of weeks, so catching up.
I have a ignition switch (with one non original key) off a 78 us import if you want to contact me. Just a few quid to the forum and postage for me.
As the locks didn't match when I got the bike I took a risk and bought an advertised used set from the US and sourced a key in the UK