Thanks for the response. The only way I can think of doing that is actually soldering wire to the cia pins and I think that would be more hassle than its worth.
I am quite tempted to trash the idea of getting a proper external keyboard and just getting an a500 kb and do as you suggested with the pins. I would need to extend the cable though.
Another option is to find Mitsumi AT keyboard model KPQ-E99ZC-13. This model is compatible with the A1200 key caps so if you have the original keyboard stored away you can swap the the "A" keys over.
They were fairly common back in the late nineties and can be found relatively easily and don't carry the same premium as Amiga keyboards. The cheapest one on Ebay UK at the moment is £29.99 but there is also an unused keyboard in the original box, including the clip in wrist wrest, for £40. Both include free postage.
