Motorcycle Handlebar Switch

A handlebar switch is, clearly, a switch on a motorcycle that is located on the handlebars. Nowadays, there are a number of different devices that could have switches located on the handlebars, but usually this refers to a light switch.

The headlights of the motorcycle are almost always located on the handlebars, right within reach of the fingers or thumb. This is so that you do not have to take your hands off of the bar to turn on the lights when it starts to get dark. This would be a safety hazard, as it can be extremely dangerous to take your hands from the handles while riding a bike.

Almost all motorcycles have a handlebar mounted switch of some type. However, this can be a prone place for damage to occur. For example, if you are forced to lay your bike down, you could very easily damage the handlebar switch/switches if it were to come into contact with a  post, a tree, or anything else.

Of course, damage of this type is completely an after-thought to your own safety, but in the event that you (hopefully) walk away unscathed from the accident, you are going to have bike damage to attend to. So, what can replacing a handlebar switch entail? There are a lot of things involved, so lets go over a few of them.

First of all, if the handlebar mounted switches are smashed, broken, missing, or jammed hopelessly beyond repair, you are going to need a replacement. These types of switches can be obtained from about any bike shop, and they can also be ordered online.

However, if the switch is that messed up, you will probably need to replace the entire switch assembly. The switch is just a major part of the whole assembly, but if this part of the bike is damaged, you are going to want to replace the whole thing.

The video above provides tips for removing your motorcycle handlebar switch.

One thing that might come into play while replacing the handle bar switch assembly is some new wiring. If the old wiring was stripped, frayed, or ripped away by the accident, then you are going to have to run some new wire. This is not too difficult, but you should definitely have a knowledge of the electronic workings of a bike before proceeding on your own.

If you are not sure how to do the job, then just take it to someone else. Hey, even if it costs you money, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are out in the middle of the night, and your lights short out due to faulty wiring, you will be wishing that you had just spent the extra money to get it fixed right!

Motorcycle handlebar switches are basically very simple, so you will not have much trouble getting it fixed. Compared to a broken motor or a blown gasket, this is an easy fix that will not be very time consuming or expensive. It does, however, have to be done right. As long as you make sure it is right, you will be good to go.