Darn it Richard. Would that be the ignition switch built in to a secret place underneath the saddle on the right hand side? How on earth did you find out?
Actualy, it was a play on a well known line from a TV comedy program here in Blighty called Dad's Army. With a setting during the second world war a group of German soldiers had captured a squad of British Home Guard soldiers. One of the young British soldiers has the family name, Pike. When the German soldiers begin asking questions the commanding British officer says, "Don't tell 'em your name Pike."
Everbody here knows the line and it often gets missused, as with my secret switch location.
I remember the kill switch to which you refer now. I had it on my 1955 Shooting Star all those years ago. My 'new' bike does not have one, probably removed during the restoration by the PO, but it does have the secret ignition switch which is wired into the same line. When the bike was first started, after all those years of standing, it raced at high revs and when I stopped it, with the ignition - kill switch, it stopped very quickly leaving the rev counter at a high reading. I now know that this is not a problem. I also took the tank off today with the intention of removing the carburetor for thorough cleaning in case it was gummed up with old dry petrol. However, with the tank removed the throttle cable did what it was supposed to do so I am assuming that it must have been trapped by the tank against the frame. I will put the tank back tomorrow, with the cable tied to the frame of course, and see what happens when I start it again.
Thanks for the input again lads. I think that I am getting on top of this bike now.
Angus.