BCR/1100S First ride impressions.....and a question at the end

[pampero]

Not to high jack the thread but I would have to agree the R 60 is much smoother and better mannered compared to the R 69S especially when cold. If you want butter the R 50 is the way to go but you give up a lt of get up and go with them. Yeh I've had my R 60US since '85 and I have collect the parts and restore an original paint Granada Red R 60US. When the new to me S bike comes home I'll gather the clan and post a few pictures.

No hijack, no problem. Looking forward to seeing the photos. At some point I would like to collect my thoughts about the "good old days" and post them in the appropriate section. Unfortunately I have very few photos from that storied era, just a few to prove I was there. Agree the R50s were very civilized, but as you say, performance was lackluster even by the standards of the time. That's why I believe the R60 hit the sweet spot. Still, any twin from that era was then and yet remains a fine machine.

 

[pampero]

Regarding the ignition switch....

The Boneyard kindly replaced the switch gratis and told me to keep the first unit they sent in error so I now have (essentially) three working switches (the original and the first replacement with broken tangs) and the "third's a charm" unit I received two days ago. Thanks, Boneyard.
Spurred on by this wealth of replacements, I took one of them apart to have a look inside. Rather clumsily, I might add. While separating the two halves, the little springs went "sprong" and all the innards flew apart. Although there are only about half a dozen parts including the three springs, it's a puzzle to me how it all goes back together, but I gathered up the bits, put them in a plastic bag and have stored them "just in case." The guts looked perfect with little wear and no corrosion but without that tang, it's still only useful if you can figure out a way to reinstall it gracefully. It's a puzzle how it goes back together, but somebody smarter than me can perhaps make use of it someday.

I threaded the new one into the bundle from the relay box last night, slathered the exterior of the switch with dielectric grease (the original was obviously greased at the factory) and put it in its place. I'll put the rest of the bike back together today and that should be that. A very simple fix as long as you have the part.