push button start button on throttle

[Hfb1957]

I have a 1965 Dream 305 and the starter push button switch isn't working. The motorcycle will crank up with the kick starter but I want to replace the push button. I have been looking for a few days at all kinds of sites but still can't find one. Any advice on where I might find one. All the parts are there but it just wont do anything when I press it. Thanks Henry

[DJM]

Are you sure the button itself is actually the problem.

If all the parts are there and it 'pushes' OK it could be the wiring (yellow with a red stripe) is disconnected somewhere, (try inside the headlight shell) or the solenoid is faulty.

Do some more checking before you write off the switch.

[G-Man]

As DJM says, the problem could be anywhere in the wiring so check through.

Is the solenoid clicking? You can inject 12v anywhere in the circuit to see if you can get the starter to turn.

If you do need a starter switch, and it will most likeley be the contacts rather than the button itself, CMS has them. Item 3 on this page.

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-c77-1960-19 ... EbEOfzgopQ

G

[Hfb1957]

Nothing happens when I push the button. I can jump across the starter solenoid and the starter will turn. I will check the wiring this weekend and see if that's the problem. It was working one day and then the next time I tried to crank her up it wouldn't do anything. Thanks for the info.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Ah, the Mystery Push-Button! I had the same problem myself - I agree with G-Man, it's probably in the contacts.

I took apart the switch and checked it/the wires for continuity from the switch to the end of the wires, then cleaned it and the little metal plate they attach to. If I recall correctly, inside you'll find two really tiny screws side by side in a little white plastic box-like thing with the 2 wires coming out; not hard to get to, but DON"T lose the screws! The contact button and spring just slides out too, and the whole little button assembly just comes apart, but it's not hard to reassemble. Take a good look at it or a photo to make sure you know how it goes back together.

Make sure the little contact areas are clean, then button it all up and try again. Worked for me...

[DJM]

These switches are quite fiddly and easy to loose the small screws. Before you tear it apart it might be worth spraying inside it with a decent electrical contact cleaner, that on its on might do the job.

Just to prove the rest of the wiring is OK, locate the yellow/red striped wire inside the headlight and disconnect the snap connector. Then ground the 'female' side of the connector which comes from the harness, not the 'male' connector towards the switch.
If the starter turns OK everything is good and you know the fault is in the switch, or the wire to it.

If you check at the solenoid, apart from the two thick cables there are two normal thin wires one black/red and the other yellow/red. The black/red wire should be 'hot' or 'live' whenever the ignition is switched on.

Hope this helps, no point in pulling the switch to pieces too soon.

[Tim Allman]

It's not clear to me that we know whether the switch itself is faulty or whether something in the connecting wiring is. In this situation I would check continuity with a continuity tester or an ohmmeter before taking the switch apart. A spray of contact cleaner is always a good idea but I wouldn't disassemble the switch unless I knew it was not working.