1985 Big Red Neutral/Reverse Switch Question

[Chainsaw124]

Was having problems electric starting. When ignition was on the neutral light and headlights were inop. Pulled the plate off the neutral/reverse safety connections by bottom right footpeg and they were hanging off. Both rubber boots are toast and can't see the chincy wire connectors staying on the bolt postsfor long. Anyone have a good fix for making sure they don't come off again? Anyone ever use a wire connector with an eyelet instead of crimp to go around the bolt and then fasten on with a nut? (srry was dark not even sure if the bolt to attach to had threads) Or could you just dab some silicone caulk or something similar on there to make it stay put and kind of weather proof it?? Anyways still didn't work; ended up being a fuse. Thank god there was still an original 1985 15amp fuse still in the spare fuse holder!!

[dustrunner]

welcome, ive been running them pretty hard sence 85 and never had a problem...the original rubber boot works good .. if nobody on here get's ya going send me a pm in a day or too and i'll go up to the shop and tear one apart for ya...

[Flyingw]

What the ignition system gets from those two switches (neutral and reverse) is a ground. Positive power is always present at the dash lights and starter solenoid but it gets ground to complete the circuit so dont think its a power problem. The connectors on the switches down on the motor are bullet type connectors. The harness has the female connectors so what happens is the holes open up and the connector doesnt stay on the switches. Simply crimp the connectors on the harness to close up the connector holes to hold them securely to the switches. There are several of the switch harnesses on Ebay right now.

[atctim]

I've taken a piece of styrfoam and wedged it in between theplug and the cover on a similar problem. Seemed to work out fine for me.

[Chainsaw124]

Thanks all for the advice, i'll have her buttoned back up today and back on the trail! Long live Big Red