I have a 2005 softail with 66,000 miles on it.I have read and know people that their ignition switches have failed.I have read about cleaning and maintaining the switches,but you can go to harley with proof of ownership of your bike and your key and you can order a new ignition switch that wiil work with your orginal key for $120.00.Looking at my Service Manual replacing the switch looks pretty easy.What do you think?

 

If it ain't broke. Don't fix it.

 

Are you gonna replace everything that might go bad down the road?
If the switch is your only concern, go ahead and buy it but keep it as a spare.

 

I deal with 30, 40 and 50 odd year old bikes with the original switches still in them, don't over think this crap and continue to enjoy your bike.

 

Plus, you probably stand to have a higher chance of early failure of a new switch, than failure of one that has lasted as long as your current one.

 

On the other hand......
Some like to fix it until it is broke.

 

Mine failed (~17,000 miles) going 70+ on a crowded highway. I know I'll be "cleaning" mine on a regular basis. However I won't be replacing them for preventative mx.

 

Waste of time & money

Ghost

 

Ignition switch is one of those things that fail every now and then. I had one fail on a Sportster that was 12 years old, but only had 8000 miles on it. Easy to hot wire with basic tools.

I had the switch on my Softail prevent me from locking it at a hotel 300 miles from home. Had it prevented me from unlocking it(key wouldn't go in far enough because of crud build-up), again, fairy easy to hot wire with a few basic tools.

Familiarize yourself with work-arounds to simple problems like that, and ride on, be happy!

 

My 04 is no warn that a couple pins came up thru the slit that the key goes in.. However, it's never missed a beat in almost 50K. I just quit using key and set the alarm. No longer leave it out on the street since retiring but if I did, would lock the forks.

My guess is a new switch quality would be about half what your 05 was made at if it's like a Ford or Bow-tie part.