What a pain in the behind. It is easy to remove. But I did something to cause it to not want to go back in correctly. 3 hrs later, and convinced I will have to get the special alignment tool from HD, I finally got it to seat and function properly.

 

YeaI had the same problem, once it's off don't move anything![]

 

That's important! If you get the steering lock linkage (internal) messed up, you're f'ed. There is a special tool to get it properly re-aligned.

 

It helps if you notice the splines on the shaft are different. One is square and the other is dovetailed. I took mine out to do the highbeam spotlight fix which took about 20 minutes to remove switch, cap, cut, solder, and reinstall the cap. Add other 2-2.5 hours because I wanted to see what the big deal was about the friggin switch.

 

When I installed my cruise I used the ignition rod to unlock the handlebars while the switch was out so I could turn it. I have done it a few times with no problems. Maybe I was just lucky.