Neutral Safety Switch
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Never liked all the safety switches. I seem to "rewire" my bikes and forget to include little things like them. To me, and this is simply my opinion and not a reflection on anyone in particular, they are just another piece of junk inserted into my life to protect me from myself. I've never had a neutral or clutch safety switch on any of my bikes (THE MAMA's Nightster has the clutch switch and her So-Pukey Savage has a kickstand switch and clutch switch). I've learned to always follow my routine - rock the bike to see if it's in neutral; if not, then suicide pedal down, jockey lever forward into neutral, clutch out, rock the bike, then start. Have I ever screwed up? Yep, but not often enough to want an "idiot" switch. But then I's an ol' geezer what am sot in his ways...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Yep, safety switch added in recent years, maybe only on certain models. I know there were posts from guys wanting to disable it.
I always pull in the clutch when starting a bike. Just a habit, but not a bad one.
I always pull in the clutch when starting a bike. Just a habit, but not a bad one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i don't know about the other models, but the touring line up has had this since 07.
sounds like you either don't really have an 07 (wouldn't be the first time someone bought a model advertised wrong), or the original owner bypassed the switch. it is located in the clutch housing, much like the brake switch on the right side. it is not obtrusive, like a ugly wart on a beautiful woman at all.....
sounds like you either don't really have an 07 (wouldn't be the first time someone bought a model advertised wrong), or the original owner bypassed the switch. it is located in the clutch housing, much like the brake switch on the right side. it is not obtrusive, like a ugly wart on a beautiful woman at all.....
Last edited by skratch; Oct 5, 2011 at 08:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: NE Penna.
thanks everybody for the comments. I'm not THAT familiar with the year-to-year style changes, but it is a RK. The VIN says its a '07...so, at least the frame is '07-lol. This was a dealer purchase. At this point, I will assume a previous owner bypassed it. I will take a look and try to locate this wart, I mean, switch in the clutch housing.
thanks again everybody.
thanks again everybody.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
Yep always clutch, just in case.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From:
Don't count on the safety switch....count on good safety habits. Your situation is exactly why I won't stand next to my bike and just start it. Even if the N light is showing, I still sit on, pull in (clutch), start up, and ride off 
Also, if you count on a safety switch, then any bike you might ride, borrow, rent, etc in the future might be an accident waiting to happen as you just found out.
Glad it didn't go down though.
Also, if you count on a safety switch, then any bike you might ride, borrow, rent, etc in the future might be an accident waiting to happen as you just found out.
Glad it didn't go down though.
