HarleyTechTalk

Quote from: Deye76 on May 12, 2024, 05:03:32 AMMen, stop using pressure washers to clean your bikes.

I have a pressure washer designed for washing bikes. I use it to clean up our dirt bikes after a day on the track or trail. It has lower pressure than regular washers so it won't inject water past seals or gaskets. Just looking at all the electrical connections on this softtail makes me think even the lower pressure of the Muckoff washer may be too much. All of my dirt bikes are purely race/Off road machines. No lights or electronics but I still don't spray the switch housings. 

Quote from: FLSTFIDave on May 12, 2024, 04:45:12 AMI had that issue with my 03 Fatboy.  My ignition switch looked like yours.  Hopefully thats your only issue.

Thanks. I really hope so too.

Quote from: kd on May 11, 2024, 09:06:30 PMBy the look of that switch you may have it.  That very thing happened on my 1998 Road King Classic at about 45,000 km.  It displayed the same symptoms but would reconnect by flipping the switch off and on (sometimes more than once).  Initially I could jiggle the switch in it's run position and it would pick up a connection.  After you install it "and have the battery reconnected", cycle it through the position detents a few times pausing and wiggling the switch) while you watch your lights (including the speedo face).  Turn the switch back and forth slowly in each of the positions when you land in them.  Watch the lamps for full continuity and no flickering.  Having the power on will break in the renewed contact surfaces with a fresh new track in the cleaned surfaces through the dielectric gel. I hope it works for you.

Thanks for the break in tips. I've never heard of breaking in co tact surfaces. I will definitely be doing that.

Quote from: Tacocaster on May 11, 2024, 06:33:20 PMLooks like Hoss might get the assist on this one! Good job, Hoss! That IGN SW was so "ugh-a-lee" when you opened it I'd be surprised if you still have a problem now. Assuming you've passed this problem, make sure you follow-up after a week or so to confirm, please TKO.

Oh! "IIRC" is Web slang for "If I Recall Correctly". We're old - well, some of us at least, but we're still hip. I mean cool. I mean...(enter latest Gen Z nerdy, groovy term here).

Yeah,  I hope the refreshed switch does the trick. 


As for the web slang, I have to admit, I am what is commonly referred to in the medical world,  techtarded. I have never owned a computer and I am currently fat finger "typing" on my first and only "smart" phone. My boys find endless hours of entertainment watching me struggle with technology. 

Men, stop using pressure washers to clean your bikes.

I had that issue with my 03 Fatboy.  My ignition switch looked like yours.  Hopefully thats your only issue.

By the look of that switch you may have it.  That very thing happened on my 1998 Road King Classic at about 45,000 km.  It displayed the same symptoms but would reconnect by flipping the switch off and on (sometimes more than once).  Initially I could jiggle the switch in it's run position and it would pick up a connection.  After you install it "and have the battery reconnected", cycle it through the position detents a few times pausing and wiggling the switch) while you watch your lights (including the speedo face).  Turn the switch back and forth slowly in each of the positions when you land in them.  Watch the lamps for full continuity and no flickering.  Having the power on will break in the renewed contact surfaces with a fresh new track in the cleaned surfaces through the dielectric gel. I hope it works for you.

Looks like Hoss might get the assist on this one! Good job, Hoss! That IGN SW was so "ugh-a-lee" when you opened it I'd be surprised if you still have a problem now. Assuming you've passed this problem, make sure you follow-up after a week or so to confirm, please TKO.

Oh! "IIRC" is Web slang for "If I Recall Correctly". We're old - well, some of us at least, but we're still hip. I mean cool. I mean...(enter latest Gen Z nerdy, groovy term here).

Unfortunately, as far as bike work goes, this is likely to be it for today.

I have an appointment to take my 2 sons out for steak this evening. As a single father of 2 teenage boys, my priority lies with them over the bike. 

Who knows, maybe we'll get back in time to reinstall this switch. It may not have been the actual problem but,  at least it's going back in much better shape than it came out. It's a small win but a win nonetheless lol

And the switch is reassembled

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