electric switchgear

[peter horwood]

Hello all, I am a new member having purchased a 1976 3/12 through ebay. The only thing that does not impress me about it is the switchgear for lights and indicators. Has any member fitted Japanese switches which seem to me to be more positive .If so which make was used please and are there any pitfalls ? Thankyou

[EVguru]

If your bike is fitted with the early chrome box switchgear in good condition, then that's a valuable original feature, so leave it alone (It is pretty poor ergonomically though).

If it's got the later black multifunction switchgear in good condition, then again, please leave it alone. Most of the electrical problems I've seen over the years on cars and bikes have been because of modifications. If it was broken or missing and I didn't have an original spare, then I'd look for a substitute. A friend of mine will be fitting Suzuki switchgear to the bike he's building becuase he doesn't have the originals and he's most used to Suzuki switches.

[MarkB]

Hi Peter, I hope you get loads of pleasure from your 3 1/2. Notwithstanding Paul's sound comments, my 76 Strada has a modern switch to replace the CEV snuffbox. It works very well, dealing with main/dip headlight, horn and indicators. It doesn't match the bike aesthetically, but it's reliable and functional. If you do decide to replace the original, you can get one from Paul Goff, www.norbsa02.freeuk.com . You'll find it in the motorcycle & car lighting section of his website: Multipurpose Handlebar Switch No 1, part number SW694600, for £30.

Mark

[robinh44]

Peter

I have seen Marks bike and the switchgear looks very good and functional on a par with a modern bike, I run BMW 90's K-series switchgear on my Morini Kanguro but then I have changed almost everything on mine apart from the engine and frame. I would suggest you look at alternative switchgear like Mark has as having comfortable & functional switchgear is more important than originality for originalities sake. Bad or awkward controls can spoil your riding pleasure and be potentially dangerous if you have to remove your hand to operate the control. Normally the straightforward switch controls will fit quite easily and you could always fit connectors to allow either the original or replacement controls to be fitted depending on the occasion.

Regards

Robin

[alan j]

I HAVE PUT MORE MODERN SWITCHGEAR ON MY OLD "BRIT" BIKES-IF YOU HAVE INDICATORS WITH OLD SWITCHES YOU NEED 2 HANDS AT ONCE! THE LATER BLACK MORINI SWITCHES ARE O.K.-BUT EASY TO OVER CORRECT THE INDICATORS! {sorry about the Capitals!]

[boris tarpit]

I think the indiosyncratic switch gear is all part of the fun of Morini ownership, my bike has the old chrome box type, I've noticed some magazine photos show a separate indicator switch (which sticks out into the handle bar grip's space) whereas mine has a rocker on the main switch block and the lighting on-off on the ignition switch. I mostly use hand signals . . .

[Daddy Dom]

Just my two cent's worth, if it was easier to find and fit the later-model Morini switchgear, why not consider that as a compromise?
DD