Hi All,

I have a Sportster 1200 Custom that has about 2000 miles on it. When i went out to start it this morning it turned over and everything seemed normal. I left it choked and went back inside the house to grab my helmet and jacket. When i got back outside i could hear the bike rattling and making a funny noise. I turned it off with the engine kill switch and let it sit for a second, when i flicked the kill switch back on the starter immediately fired and the bike turned over, but the starter stayed engaged! I didn't even hit the start button. I turned if off again, let it sit for a second, and it did the same thing. After doing that a few times i did get the kill switch on without the bike starting, but when i started it a few seconds after it started the starter sounded like it engaged again.

Took the cage into work today

Anyone had this problem before? The bike was my fathers before he passed and doesn't have many miles on it, I'm thinking it must have something to do with the controls? Maybe the "start" button is sticking? Anyone have any other ideas? The starter itself doesn't seem to make sense as i dont know how it would be self engaging unless the switch was sending it power....


Thanks in advance for any help, this is my first Harley so i have no idea if this is a common issue..

 

Have you recently done any work on the bike? What year is it? I would look at the wiring in the switch housing and check the starter relay.

 

Nope, havent done anything recently. I changed the oil last week as I was not sure when my father had done it last, but other than that nothing. Took it out, put about 150 miles on it last week with no trouble. Its a 2005. I'm hoping it something simple as i dont have a truck and dont want to have to get a tow-truck/flatbed to come take it to a dealer.

Ill have to pull apart the switch tonight when i get home. Does anyone know of a site on the web that shows the proper wiring diagram for the switch and/or relay?

 

They have a full blown schematic in the back of every service manual. That issue is also listed in the troubleshooting section of the manual.

 

Thanks a ton Freebird!

Sounds just like what i was experiencing. I will have to pick up a manual on the way home tonight.

You guys rock!

 

Yep a service manual for your year and make bike is the best mod you can buy.