After buying a '95 GS500e, I found a few things that needed fixing.
The key had been snapped off in the ignition. Living in Atlanta, a bike that can start with a screwdriver is not the best thing to have!
The locksmith could extract and duplicate the key, but that would cost $130.
A new ignition switch from eBay was only $30.


Clymer's has a procedure for replacing the ignition switch.
It is held to the triple clamp with torx-bolts, designed to shear when installed.
A center punch is supposed to be used to aid in unscrewing the bolts.
I found this quite difficult/impossible, and only succeeded in boogering up the bolt.
I even went as far as trying to use a hacksaw to cut a flathead notch into it.


I broke 2 flathead bits trying to turn this.
It was now that I thought to throw all my chips in and cut the switch away from the part that held it to the triple clamp.
I used the hacksaw to cut off the switch, leaving the bolts and what they went through connected.



With all of the way, I was able to use a pair of pliers to twist the head of the bolt and switch
This allowed the leverage needed to break the tension, and remove the bolt.
I replaced the torx bolts with hex-head bolts (all that's available at the local hardware shop).
Red lines are where I cut with the hacksaw, hex's are the replacement bolts.


I am now the proud owner of a triple clamp with a keyed ignition switch!!!
(stare into infinity!)

if you would have done a search you would have found a post about this and that i have used a 6mm socket to remove these without much effert at all but i guess as long as you got it out and can use the top plate still its all good

I used a dremel and cut a groove in my old one to remove it.  on my sis's honda I used a drill bit and screw extractor.  flathead bits?  thats your problem right there. my screwdrivers have a hex head on the shank of them so they could be turned with a wrench for leverage.

So, before you toss it in the trash, wanna take your hacksaw to the bottom part (more annoying little torx snap-off screws) and see what the switch disc inside looks like?

My kludge is working, but a replacement that's in good shape would be a better solution.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=49557.0

you could have just drilled off the heads with a drill bit and the switch would have fallen off.....no damage

and then sent it to me to remove the broken key for about 10 bucks then you could have sold it on e-bay for 30 bucks

30 bucks for an ignition with no key? that would be dumb

geee you are so smart


if I can get it out.... i can copy the broken piece into a new key

but i'm not as smart as the great josh... didn't you screw over the bud duh with some rusty bent forks....