71 FLH A2
the neutral switch wires were disconnected from the switch and tied together. I did a continutity check on the switch and found it ok but believe the rust had caused a bad connection. BUT..why would someone tie the wires together. I know on some of the newer bikes they have to be in neutral to start but didn't think a '71 would have a safety switch and I can't see one on the wiring diagram. Any ideas why?
Thanks in advance.

 

yes the power comes through the neutral to the starter - always room for a moron who was under the impression he knew something -- well he dident

 

Looking at the wiring diagram, it appears that the neutral switch is part of the starting circuit, but there is no clutch interlock that I can see.

So the bike would have to be in neutral in order to crank the starter, not a good setup without a clutch lever interlock switch...

Leave the neutral switch bypassed.

 

the first time you press the starter button and the bike lunges forward jumps off the kick stand and lands on your leg you will know why they did that with the neutral switch

 

y don't u unhook the wires and see what happens

 

Just noticed it as I have rear cylinder off and it was visible . Looks hard to get to when the motor is assembled.
I'll take advice of others that know best.

 

My 1970 FLH will not start in gear. Surprised me the first time I noticed it, but apparently the previous Owner wired the bike properly!!! Weird that the new HD's abandoned the concept. Reminds me of a 1972 GMC truck I had that you could only lock the doors with the key. If you pushed the lock down and closed the door, it unlocked itself. Using the key was the only was to lock it up from outside. PITA and I never locked the doors.

You know who you are.

 

re:Weird that the new HD's abandoned the concept

I like the fact my RK will start in gear cause if it should happen to stall at a light I could just start it in gear. Some guys put there bikes in neutral at a light but I don't like the idea of not being able to accelerate out of the way of being rear ended if possible.

 

 

And the first time you stall the bike, and need to find neutral to get it started in a hurry because you are in a bad spot, you will see why the guy disconnected it.

The only way a neutral safety switch is safe is if the system allows you to pull the clutch in and start it in gear.

I would leave it disconnected.