Hmmmm....spent my youth tearing out wires and building minimalist choppers. Now that I’m old, there’s something about lights that appeals to me. So how in the heck does all this go together? Take a look at the pictures. Specific questions follow






There’s 3 long bolts and sleeves that seem to go over the bolts. What do those do? Do those sit on top of the base plate or do those space the baseplate off the frame tabs?

That rubber strip with 4 holes in it...what’s that for?

Where do the relay/circuit breaker holders go?

Then there’s the issue of spacers. There are spacers for the switch and spacers for the base plate. What is the point here? To close the gap between the chrome dash cover and tanks? And then when I get that right, I need to flush up the switch with the cover? Is that how it goes?

Speedo has a tachometer. A black, red and green wire come out of the speedo for the tach. Where do those attach?

I’d be screwed without this forum. How the hell did I do this 40 years ago? Maybe that’s why I kept it simple.

Thanks, guys!

 

Early softail very similar...

 

 

... and whenever you've got an electrical problem head for the dash cluster wires first :>(

 

Thanks panz & Tom. So any idea what the long bolts and sleeves are for?

If the choke cable goes through the hole in the dash, what holds the dash down?

We’re getting there!

 

A bit more detail. Took me a bit to figure how to add text to your pic once I downloaded it to my computer. Couple of things I have no clue about, including the long bolts and sleeves.

Re: choke cable assembly. On stock models the cable goes through a hole in a threaded bolt that is secured to the base plate assembly. A small nut hold it in place.

The spacers for the base plate and ignition switch allow you to get the dash cover and speedo level with your gas tanks. Most aftermarket tanks leave a lot to be desired so spacing takes some work. You raise the base plate too high and your dash cover sits too far off the gas tanks and you get a horrible gap. You don't get the spacing right on the speedo or switch and they sit below the dash cover.

What I don't see is a rubber strip that mounts on the underside of your dash cover. Should be 2 strips that act as pads to ensure the metal edges do not screw up the paint on the tanks. You need those before you start fiitting things because that will definitely impact your adjustments.

 

I just did this on my 71 FLH, I did have the old dash so I could reuse the nuts and bolts. The dash is made for a wide range of years so there are parts to cover them all. you wont need the long bolts or sleeves. I am at work so I can add pictures tonight if needed.
one thing I had to do was add the ground wire. look at Panz pictures and notice no black wires coming off the lights, you will have to add the ground. it looks as though you don't have the threaded rod (like on a lamp) that the choke wire comes up through which holds the dash on.
Get the parts catalog out for the exploded view to see what you need.
hope this helps.

 

Redbeard just wondering what you need a black ground wire for?

 

Panz...rubber strips are in the bag with the chrome cover��. Good advice.

 

BarbaRosa (that’s Redbeard for all you non-pirate types)...each bulb holder has a red and a black wire. So the ground is there. Thanks!