Emergency help needed.

85 XJ700n air cooled
Can the ignition on off switch on the handlebars handle the load for all the lights? Can anyone tell me the amperage requirment for a switch to operate the lights.
Some punks kicked my bike over last night and broke the key switch off, did more damage than that, and I have to have this thing running by Monday morning. I don't mind rewireing a little. I know I can use a switch to turn on the lights and ignition on but all I have available is a 16 amp 3/4 hp 250 v.a.c 125 v.a.c double pole single throw switch. I am not sure if it is enought to handle all the lights, especially the head lights as I can not get a resistance reading from the system without turning on the switch. The bike is runnin 4 2 element 1157( I believe), 2 one element 1156 and a 60/55 watt h4 headlight bulb. I am not sure what the rating is for the ignition on wire.

 

if your bike is anything like the 550/650/750, the lights are controlled by a relay, so your switch doesn't actually handle the current for the lights, but just the relay itself.

I doubt that the switch has to be massive to handle the relay current.

 

The switch is only a bunch of thin plates and such inside the handle cover. So no need to worry about burning out the switch. Try to find a new one asap though.

 

I went ahead and got a toggle that can handle the head light. It seems to be working fine and it even stashed so it is not easily found. gotta keep a chain on it now though. One little slip and it would take about 3 seconds to get it away from me. Hope it holds out till I get another switch.