Wired in a cheap-o Chinese ignition switch '84 200es

[ericmreimer]

Doug you are 100% correct these damn kids nowadays, I tell ye, such whippersnappers! Lol in other news I got my $4 brake lever in the mail today. Whoo hoooo!

[ps2fixer]

I'm one of them damn kids :P, except I fix the throw away junk like Ipods etc . The main thing we need good is the drive system and the engine, switches are simple, unless the honda ones are silver contacts, or gold plated, I don't see why they are so expensive. I think your buying the name more than anything on that. Now if I'm going to replace a transmission gear, I'm not grabbing one out of a Chinese engine! Way too much time to tear down an engine that far for cheap parts, but a switch that takes maybe 10-15 mins to install I'll skimp on.

@ericmreimer

That "OEM" brake lever looks like pretty high quality =D.

[ericmreimer]

I'm prolly one too I'm mean those crusty 37 year old tools got me beat.

[Big G]

I hear what you're saying Doug, yet I also believe that sometimes you can get away with not using an OEM part. I've gone aftermarket on things such as brake cables, wheel bearings, air filters, carb kits, etc., in the past and haven't been dissapointed yet. The argument could be made either way I suppose.

[tri again]

My switch was on the front porch today.
Bag was ripped and not sure if it fits in the 250 dashboard yet
but for * bucks, I'll just put it in the trike and not hook it up.

Anyone who sits on it will ask, "where's the key", to which I can say, "i forget'
and maybe they'll walk away and leave mmy machines alone.

[kb0nly]

I put one of those cheap switches on a 125M about three years ago, still works perfectly fine to this day.

Don't let the OEM branding fool you. You honestly think Honda made the switches anyway? Chances are one of the companies making these cheapos was a producer for them back in the day. A lot of the Honda parts were rebranded from another manufacturer that made them for them. Sure they had the quality control over them but they didn't make them.

I have had a couple of the Honda switches apart, they appear to be the standard plated contacts, maybe gold but they tarnish easily once you wipe off the dielectric grease. I had one of these cheapos apart too, look almost identical inside. Now i wish i would have taken pictures, put them side by side and play pick the OEM. I bet a lot of people would have picked wrong.

I have no problem with aftermarket parts, especially when most of the parts are no longer available OEM and you gotta do what you gotta do. I have had good luck with most of the parts guys call chinese crap, so i guess my experience is far different.

[ps2fixer]

I put one of those cheap switches on a 125M about three years ago, still works perfectly fine to this day.

Don't let the OEM branding fool you. You honestly think Honda made the switches anyway? Chances are one of the companies making these cheapos was a producer for them back in the day. A lot of the Honda parts were rebranded from another manufacturer that made them for them. Sure they had the quality control over them but they didn't make them.

I have had a couple of the Honda switches apart, they appear to be the standard plated contacts, maybe gold but they tarnish easily once you wipe off the dielectric grease. I had one of these cheapos apart too, look almost identical inside. Now i wish i would have taken pictures, put them side by side and play pick the OEM. I bet a lot of people would have picked wrong.

I have no problem with aftermarket parts, especially when most of the parts are no longer available OEM and you gotta do what you gotta do. I have had good luck with most of the parts guys call chinese crap, so i guess my experience is far different.

Thanks for the info , I was wondering why it sounded like the honda switches lol.

Anyway, I made up one, and test fitted it in a junk dash from a 200ES, and it can spin in the dash, but I looked into it further and it looks like the hole is oversized a bit by the old bad switch. Just to point out though, the stopper is a bit smaller than oem. I think a good dash it will be fine. Been thinking about finding a dash that would look ok, and throw it on my 350x (actually hooked up though lol). Heck I could wire them up and sell them if anyone had interest, not sure which dash would be good though, maybe something off a newer Honda quad.

Uploaded is a photo how I wired mine . Model on the bag is EL-K0006 and of course "Made in China". Just a note, the tabs that hold the switch in are MUCH TIGHTER than oem's 6 lightly sprung ones. It is a real fight to install or remove. Also the clocking of the switch matches up with the dash markings which is a nice touch.

[kb0nly]

A little epoxy would keep it from spinning.. LOL

You could even buy the Honda key rubber and put it on the cheapo switches keys and none would be the wiser...

[ps2fixer]

I'd rather have a correct fitting part, since I'm half hoping to sell these prepped for install . Just an cheaper alt to oem Honda brand.

[kb0nly]

Problem is the Honda switch gets loose and starts to move and then it wears out the hole. Been there done that. I had one that would spin regardless of being an OEM or a cheap switch. The hole was just wallowed out. I put a little two part epoxy on the points of the new switch that push against the sides of the hole and then popped it in. After the epoxy was dry no problems. Other than replacing the dash entirely there wasnt much else i could do.

[blue27]

I use these also.I have them on the Mini Tiger, Mini Red and a Honda Express No ped. Fits perfect on the express, on the others that are using the standard Honda Dash, I just file a new notch where one of the tabs sits so it acts as a lock tab so it does not spin. Depending on the application you need to change the ends, and double check the wiring because I had them with the same plug but the wires were in different locations.

[kb0nly]

Never thought of filing a notch, good tip! Last one i worked on the hole was so worn out from a spinning switch i just epoxied it but filing a notch would have helped prevent it from moving.

[tri again]

Thanks for sharing Eric. The key on my '85 250ES is starting to go on the fritz. Anyone know if these would fit that model as well?

OEM key switches do come apart and can be cleaned.
Do you have to wiggle to get your neutrallight?
Try the search key for a Great post on how to.

[clmeue37]

Good thread! Picked up an 84 Big Red a few weeks ago and the ignition switch was missing altogether. The previous owner had drilled a hole in the dash and wired up a toggle switch. I ordered one of these switches and while I waited for it to arrive I filled the hole with jb weld where the toggle switch had been and cleaned and painted the dash. Wired up the new switch according to the positions referenced here and it works perfect. Now I just have to get the rest of the wiring harness cleaned up and sorted out.

Thanks for putting this information on here!

[86125m]

The dan gum honda key switch rubber cost the same as this hole key and switch set. I'm sorry this is 6 dollars for this switch and 50 for the honda and the way I see it is a switch is a switch.