I have a couple of problems. First, the bike doesn't shut off with the key. I have to retard the distributor to shut down. Switch checks to be good. Would like to add a handlebar kill button but it only partially shuts down and then picks back up when released. Thank you in advance, Tom.

 

is this a magneto or battery/distributor system?

 

Battery/distributor

 

on the battery system, you may have a short to power. the key switches can go bad. the best way to tell is to put a pigtail and light bulb on the 12 volt side of the distributor and see if power is being chopped. if you add a bar kill, make sure the contacts are rated for the amp draw. do not over-look wiring issues, since the circuit is a resistance to ground, it might not melt and insulation.

 

This is a 6 volt system. By moving wires around I got the bike to turn on and off with the key but lose the gen/oil lights on one side of the key. The kill button still won't work. Where would you wire it to? I have been trying with the key switch. I feel I am mechanical but not at all electrical. Thank you for your reply. Tom.

 

will look into my library, machine stock?
will post a like to a site that also may have info for you

http://www.classiccycles.org/2062/2083.html

typically power from batt>ign sw>bar kill>distributor. open the ign sw or bar kill breaks the circuit, bar kill is usually push till dead, if you let it up, engine will run.

 

Motor is stock. Bar kill does lower the rpms but when released they pick back up. Would you wire this to the coil?

 

Your bike should stop when turning off the ignition key - that is what it is for! Your bike was made before the 'kill switch' was invented. You can add one, but you should sort out your ignition switch first, so it works properly. In the meantime it seems there may be other electrical gremlins on your bike. If need be find a local friendly indy to help sort it out.