Harley takes 12 weeks on lots of special order stuff. Although the OEM is preferred, you could still go aftermarket temporarily until those keys do show up.

 

Well if you need to I can order it for you at J&P and sent it to you. Dont know what the shipping would be PM me if you want.

 

Thanks for the offer......very kind of you, but I have a couple of old Triumphs that have no ignition switches......so I am used to just locking the bikes up before leaving them.

 

I finally got the ignition key from Harley.........and it doesn't fit.

So I've bought a cheap one from elsewhere and fitted it.......however I didn't want to waste the old one.
I took it off and started to dismantle it. on the base there was a circle with a 7 in it and another one with 97 in it....so I'm guessing it was manufactured in July 97, which would fit for a 98 model Harley?
I am pretty sure it is the original lock, and Harley's records have got it wrong.

Now I dismantled it as far as I can, but can't seem to get the barrel out to see if there is a number on it.
I read that you have to insert the key to remove the barrel.....is that right? if so I'm stuck.

Below is a picture of where I've got to.

 

A good locksmith will have a tool that will open a barrel lock faster than if you have the key, and leave the tool with the exact pattern needed to make a duplicate key.

 

I recently went through an issue with my ignition switch. I eventually got one from JP--not the bar type. The JP (Taiwan made) for my model was about $26 and much smoother to turn (like butter). No pause/backfire of engine switching between on and lights. It's been over a month now, and it is still working perfectly.

Ignition switches for Harley's used to come from Japan. The old original bar type were decent--my original lasted since the bike was bought in 1988. However, it would cause problems at times and the bike would die--one of the brass nubs underneath literally fell off. However, when I found a replica Japan made (exact look) for my ride, it lasted a month and caused many problems with backfiring and lack of spark. That is why I then went to JP and got the Taiwan made one.

I would ALWAYS keep a spare ignition switch on hand, as I would always keep a spare starter replay on hand.

 

Contacting an auto locksmith is a better option in my opinion.