My neighbor has a 96 600F3 that he has lost his keys to. He was quoted a pretty decent price to replace both the ignition switch and gas cap lock, and his plan is to load his bike onto a pickup tomorrow to take it to the dealer for the swap. However, I am thinking that it might be easier to simply remove the upper triple tree with the ignition switch attached, plus the gas cap and take that to the dealer instead. I replaced my own triple tree a couple of years ago (I've got a 95 1000F) with not too much difficulty, but that involved removing my forks. I don't want to remove his forks. Am I missing something? Can I remove the top clamp only without removing the forks first? How does the ignition switch connect to the electrical system? Is there a quick release connector that is easily accessable? Anyone ever done anything like this before?

 

To remove the switch from the upper clamp, you'll need remove the fairings and a T40 torex bit. They are less than $10 and you can get them at Sears or tool supplier. Use it to remove the two bolts that hold down the ignition switch. You'll have to look on the under side of the clamp to see them. Unplug the ignition switch from behind the meter panel. You'll see a whole row of plugs back there, I believe you'll want the larger black coupler. You won't be able to remove the fuel cap without opening it so I would just take the tank down to the shop. Don't forget to take the helmet lock/passenger peg with you too.

 

I don't want to remove the ignition switch from the clamp, since I know that the bolt heads are wierd and I don't have the tool to get it off (or the time to get it). Rather, I want to remove the clip-ons and loosen the top clamp and pull it up and off of the fork tubes. Is this doable?

 

Yep, it is doable, as I did it on my97 F3. I wanted to paint the triple tree from key marks, and protect then with a carbon fiber cover. The switch bolts, like the helmet lock, are once on/never off bolts that snap off when installing so no one (supposedly!) can swipe your helmet by undoing the lock. A small set of vice grips will do the trick! Lol!

 

if you dont have time to buy a torx...you sure as hell dont have time to take off the front uppers or the gas tank...So your better off bringin the whole bike in and paying someone else for their time

 

Can't the dealer just pull the vin or look at the key stamp on the ignition and cut a new key???

 

Wish it was that easy but no. Honda doesn't keep that info on record for motorcycles. I've heard that Honda only goes back 15 years (some where in there) for their automobile.