The Hodaka Club Forum

Getting solid spark at the plug now!!! Got spark with both plug coils!!! Better test now with ignition plugged back in before buttoning up!

Getting her back together. With out the tank connected, she gave me a few rat-a-tat-tats so I’m going to put the tank & seat back on and re-gap the points one more time, and.......... Victor

Yeah Baby!!! Put the tank on & she fired with ONE KICK!!! First heat up cycle going now! Second one when I get back from school!!! Yippie!!!! Ring-a-ning-a-ning!!! Victor

I am now wondering if the ignition switch is on the fritz? The key in the on position it starts. Key in off position, it keeps running. And not a single light is working. Not even the brand new headlamp. So here comes more electrical testing. At least the kill switch I put on it functions. Victor

All lamps replaced with new (some were missing but looked good on inspection). Still no lights. Tail light works with the AC/DC switch in the correct position, but no brake light, turn signals, head light high or low beam and no horn.

I’m guessing it’s the ignition switch. The key does turn the tumblers as I can feel the resistance when turning it to both the on & off positions. Is there a reasonable way to take the switch apart & inspect/correct it’s operation??? Thanks! Victor

Here’s a YouTube link to the Green RT running!!! Victor

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mGDvgqxBK9Y

Does anyone have a functional Model 99 or Model 02 Road Toad ignition switch they are willing to sell??? Thanks in advance! Victor

Talked with Danny Cooke about the Green Toad. He suggested I check the ground on the ignition switch. Pulled the switch completely off. All wires, grounds included, connected properly. And, all of the solder joints on the back of the switch look good. Does anyone see anything I don’t see??? Victor

Hey Vic,

Looking at the wiring diagram, with the ignition switch OFF.... IG is switched to ground. IG is the black wire on the ignition switch. Switch grounds black wire through ignition switch case to ground. If the engine wont turn off with the key that is why I stated check your ground. Ignition switch case must bolted to a good ground to function. Also could be internal switch issue.

At the top right corner of the wiring diagram is the "main switch". That diagram list circuits connected with the switch off and on.

Danny Cooke

Vic, I hung curtain rods tonight. I did not venture outside. 14° mmaybe tomorrow. Brrrrr.

You may not have any problems with your ignition switch. As many have said before when a frame has been repainted there are several places that need to have the paint removed to allow the ignition system to work properly. The ignition system is grounded to the engine. The motor mounts are where the frame is grounded back to the engine. The coil mounting bracket is where the coil is grounded to the frame and back to the engine. And the ignition switch housing grounds through the frame back to the engine through the mounting tabs on the housing. Every circuit on the motorcycle uses connections through the frame to the engine. These connections need to be clean with all paint removed to provide continuity. If you don't trust your grounding points a jumper wire can always be used to provide a ground connection.

Well, Ossa, paint on the frame is not the issue. I had stripped the paint around the holes on the switch mounting bracket SPECIFICALLY to make good contact with bare metal. And the nuts & bolts were very tight. You’ve made that point before, when I worked on the Red Toad.

While talking with Terry, he made a remark that the Toad ignition was a 3 position switch. This one is a 2 position.

So, one of the guys on the FB Hodaka Fan Page pointed mecto this switch. It is a NOS switch listed for some of the bikes with E series motors. And it was $19.95 shipping included. So I snatched it up.

I can put the seat on for now and do some break in riding around my private subdivision & put a couple of hours on it, while I await for the switch. Then I can see if I get lights when the switch arrives. Victor

viclioce wrote:Well, Ossa, paint on the frame is not the issue. I had stripped the paint around the holes on the switch mounting bracket SPECIFICALLY to make good contact with bare metal. And the nuts & bolts were very tight. You’ve made that point before, when I worked on the Red Toad.

While talking with Terry, he made a remark that the Toad ignition was a 3 position switch. This one is a 2 position.

So, one of the guys on the FB Hodaka Fan Page pointed mecto this switch. It is a NOS switch listed for some of the bikes with E series motors. And it was $19.95 shipping included. So I snatched it up.

I can put the seat on for now and do some break in riding around my private subdivision & put a couple of hours on it, while I await for the switch. Then I can see if I get lights when the switch arrives. Victor

There is some confusion going on here... The 99 Road Toad's have a 2 postion switch not 3.

I had that same confusion with Terry. I told him that my Red Toad also had a 2 position main switch, so he said, “well maybe my memory is failing me!” LOL!

Anyway, I’m pretty sure either the tumblers in the switch aren’t making a proper connection, or something else is not functioning inside the switch or one of the wires.

But, for $19.95, shipping included, I can save the old switch and once I get the electrics finished on the Green Toad, I can take the switch apart and see if it’s a repairable issue.

I’ll be sure to take pictures as I go, because it may turn into something I can submit for “The Resonator.” I don’t think anyone has done this kind of write up, have they???

Anyone? Buehler....Anyone??? Victor

Victor, Do you have an ohm meter? It would be easy to test your switch several different ways. You can unplug it and then confirm that the black lead is providing a ground when switched off. And, by looking at the switch truth table (found on the wiring diagram) you can test that you have continuity between the leads that should have it and also make sure you don't have continuity between those that shouldn't have it.

Thanks Dale! Yes I have one & yes I’ll give it a go. I have that switch position chart on my wiring diagram, so I’ll work with that and report back. If it turns out to be a broken wire & not something inside the switch, I can unsolder the broken wire and solder a good section of wire in its place and terminate the end correctly. If not, THEN I will brake open the switch! Victor

It might very well be the plug connection. If you are seeing your ground at the plug then check the pins. A lttle spray might do it. Then there will be another connector under the tank...

heres whats in my 71 b+ switch

having trouble with the picture

The B switch is a little different than the RT switch. BTW, were you able to put it back together & make it work? Victor

yes i had to get another switch to take apart to see how it worked and found i was missing the u shaped piece and once i put it together with all the right pieces, wouldn't you know, it worked like it should imagine that.....albert

I got a switch from Bruce without the lock in it. Now I maybe have spare parts to make one out of 2 ignition switches. Fingers crossed. Then I’ll have an original, maybe?!?! Victor

I got the new ignition switch installed and correctly connected. The ignition can now be turned off with the key. Still no lights. Further investigation required.

I think the Hi/Lo, Horn, Turn Signal switch may have issues. This was the first one I tried on the Red Toad. Swapped out to make the Red Toad functional. So I’m going to pull the switch & meter across the connections. I’m betting I need another switch, or there is something wrong with it, but not sure if it’s something easily fixed. It’s a shame because it’s a nice looking switch. Victor

OK. Proof the beast lives! Here’s a link to a YouTube video! Victor

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RyyMXnd63tc

Sounds pretty good Victor and nice weather! Here is what it looked like at my house a few days ago.

We had snow a few days ago. These weather changes are amazing! They got 4” of new snow in the mountains last night. It rained here during the night before last. Lows in the low 20’s, highs in the Low 50’s! Snow due in again first of the week! Somebody shoot that damn Groundhog!!! LOL!!!