K11 Owners Group

[David_S_Walker]

Hello,

After suffering the side stand switch failure again on my 1994 K1100LT on Monday 8th July which necessitated the closure of the Blackwall Tunnel - For members outside of the UK this is one of the major arterial routes out of London to Kent - for 40 minutes at 17:30 in the evening. I am thinking about not reconnecting it as it is not the first time this has happened! So much so that I have the BMW override plug tie wrapped to the frame to plug in when this happens. Trouble was on Monday that it is quite dark and scary being marooned in the tunnel. We were stranded about 250 yards from the exit and it is all uphill! So we elected to stay on the motorcycle with the hazards flashing and brake light on but still my fellow motorists came by with inches to spare and hurled abuse at us. Anyhow after about 20 minutes or so the breakdown truck turned up after closing the tunnel and we couldn't get it onto his trailer so had to push it out into daylight where I could fit the over ride plug and after a short while we were on our way again. It is not an experience I wish to repeat so whilst I have another new switch I was thinking about using it to trigger a nice big warning light on the dash somewhere to indicate the status of the side stand so for example if it was up the light would glow green and would be off when the stand is down as I think the switch must make contact only when the stand is up?

So are there any budding auto electricians who could draw me a diagram that would show me how to do this? I am imagining that it would only work with the ignition switched on so when the stand is down the light would be out and when it is up it would be on - I am quite happy to have a nice big green light say up near the map light glowing to show all is well. Of course sexier still would be a red & a green light so red when stand down and green when it is up but with the action of the switch I am not sure if this is possible? Any guidance and hopefully a simple wiring diagram would be most gratefully received!

We made the 17:50 traffic report on BBC Radio 2 and also the BBC London website - Of course if you were affected by my breakdown then many apologies - I had no indication that this was about to happen!

Best regards and thanks for any help,

David

[Scott_Anderson]

Well, yes it can be done.
The switch is a "single pole, single throw, normally open" switch that is "open" when the side stand is deployed.
The wire connector that you disconnected for the "plug" can be used for your dash light.
Using a single lamp is easier to connect.
Using 2 lamps is possible, but then you will have to use a "single pole double throw" relay between the switch and the lights.
I think that Flying Duck posted up a tech post or stickey when he put a green light on his side stand switch like you want.
Use the search button up at the top of the page. If you can't find specifically what you are looking for, I can draw up something.
_________________
Ride safe.



1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

[David_S_Walker]

Hello Scott,

Thanks for taking the time to reply - Much appreciated. I will search for that post but if I can't find I'll come back to you with a begging post!

Best regards,

David