I have an '87 CBR1000F with an issue. The bike sat for a bit over a year due to some personal issues. I had no real issues with the machine prior to this hiatus. Getting her ready to ride again and I find I have an issue with the starter switch. It engages the starter, starter spins and will start the bike - but the starter doesn't disengage when the starter button is released. Thinking it was an issue with the starter relay, I replaced that - only to have the same issues. Sometimes it works properly, but most often I need to disconnect the battery to disengage the starter. Today I opened the switch-gear housing to look at the actual starter switch. Based on feel, I now think the switch is not properly returning to its rest position - I can feel a slight resistance and can physically move the switch back from its "return" position. I suspect some sort of an issue with the return spring.

How does this switch come out of the housing? I don't see any obvious way to remove and I do not want to damage the housing. Any advice/guidance welcome

 

Just an update - with nothing to go on, I started using contact cleaner and WD-40 alternately - basically dousing the switch in place in the housing and working the starter switch every time I passed by the bike. As of this morning, the switch appears to be functioning "normally" - at least it is no longer causing the starter to stay engaged. I'm hoping this will continue - at least it is a short term solution

 

Good on you, George.

 

I like happy endings, glad it worked out for you.

 

Corrosion??? You could disassemble it and see directly. A little sandpaper can do wonders.

 

That would bring me back to the initial question - how do I get what appears to be a closed switch assembly out of the housing? It appears to be a plastic encased switch assembly that has been press fit or glued into the housing.

 

Ok, got that. I re-read your post, my bad, misunderstood. On a 32 years old bike, I think any switch you can replace would give you piece of mind. Any future issues are not coming from it.

 

mine recently failed also,i suspect compression spring broke.I immediatey bought the only one I could find on ebay