Harley-Davidson® Ignition Switch Removal
Bob LaRosaDescription
We have been asked a couple times about Harley-Davidson ignition switch knob removal in our Harley Tips section. Here’s a quick video on the topic.
Let's now take a look at removing the ignition switch knob or ignition switch cap as it's commonly known. As with any electrical component, whether you're servicing it or replacing it, always unhook the negative cable on the battery first. In order to remove this cap, motorcycle must be full left lock, ignition switch must be unlocked. The ignition switch knob needs to be turned to fork lock. At that point you'll insert your key into the ignition switch cap. You'll rotate it counter-clockwise, which is not towards the lock position on the label, but away from the unlocked position. As you turn that key, you'll carefully push up on the tab underneath the switch cap. You'll see it comes up easily. Again, I don't have the tank covered, so you can get a nice, clear view of what I'm doing, but anytime you're working above any painted area, you should have those components covered. You'll note there is a spring. That spring has to be reinstalled on the top of the ignition switch, so it engages into the switch cap. There's a number of reasons you'll be removing this cap. One of them is if you're gonna pull your inner fairing off in order to paint it. Another would be if you needed to remove the rear cover in order to access the switches or possibly install a new rocker switch in one of the other allocations. In order to reinstall the knob or ignition cap, it'll be the same procedure, just run backwards. Make sure the spring is in place, put the switch back in position, rotate the key. You'll hear a good audible click. You can release the cap. It will stay where it is. At that point you can rotate it clockwise away from the fork lock position. Make sure it goes through all of the correct ignition positions and then you can reconnect the battery negative. Check, make sure it's working in all the positions. Verify by starting the motorcycle. Do a complete electrical check. This is an integral component. It must work correctly when you remove it and reinstall it.
how do I remove the ignition switch for my 2003 Sportster xlh 883
<strong> Ticket 17287 Hello , I have lost my key to my 1999 spotter 1200: bought a new ingation switch , all the video I’ve watch said I have to have the key so I can turn the ing to accessory mode, I don’t have a key , please help
Q: I have a 2008 Ultra. In February the starter began engaging on and off by itself when I turned the ignition switch to the on position without touching the start button. This has become very repeatable. If I let the bike start the starter continues to engage and dis-engage by itself. I replaced the starter relay. I ohmed out the start switch and it looks good (high/low resistance with off/on). With everything connected and the ignition on, there is a voltage on the black w/red output wire from the start switch to the relay. That voltage wonders from near zero to 10-11 volts. The starter engages as the voltage increases. Ideas? A: The black wire with the red tracer should only be powered when depressing the start button with the run/off switch toggled to run. Suggest testing @ each end of the switch/switch harness.
Is there a video that shows how to remove the switch housing to replace the actual switch ?
My fork lock pin will not come up, so I cannot use my bike. I have a 2015 Electro glide, the cap turns to unlock position but the pin does not move.
I used this video to remove the ignition switch in the process of removing the rear fairing cap (while adding cruse control to my Street Glide). However, with the ignition switch cap removed, the forks are locked, making it very difficult to get the fairing cap off. I'd like to know how to unlock the forks with the ignition switch cap removed.