Starter Relay question
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 125
Likes: 10
From: Connecticut
I ended up going to napa and buying a cheap older Ford style relay that could withstand 40+ amps.
When i say older style i mean the ones that look like a little top hat with the small terminals comming out of the front.
To save me some time and just experiment with this fix I left the current cheap "5 prong " relay hacked in where it always has been and just removed the "Trigger wire" from the Starter soleniod and placed that onto the newly mounted "Ford" Relay.
I grounded everything and placed the small jumper between the two poles on the starter soleniod to complete the circut.
Remember this is a Test for me so none of this is going to be my permanent setup, I need better routing and wires. etc... dont beat me up to bad. It worked first button push. Sweet!!!! Then next stop it took three pushes. It is on and off with its Gremlins and wiring, I plan to redo it all this winter. I have been concerned with my ground that goes to the small "5 Pin" relay. I believe i need to adress that after this evening on my way home my speedo did not have lighting until i hit a few bumps and it wiggled something i assume. When i went to start the bike i had to give it a few button mashes but it did fire off. The starter is hanging up now for some reason but hey we cant win them all.
I am sure my "5 Pin" is crap junk plastic throw away overpriced internet part. Does anyone know the BOSH relay PN that is assigned by bosh not HD? I think i saw it mentioned in one of the other threads on this issue and it is the relay used on the EVO.
As always Thanks Guys
When i say older style i mean the ones that look like a little top hat with the small terminals comming out of the front.
To save me some time and just experiment with this fix I left the current cheap "5 prong " relay hacked in where it always has been and just removed the "Trigger wire" from the Starter soleniod and placed that onto the newly mounted "Ford" Relay.
I grounded everything and placed the small jumper between the two poles on the starter soleniod to complete the circut.
Remember this is a Test for me so none of this is going to be my permanent setup, I need better routing and wires. etc... dont beat me up to bad. It worked first button push. Sweet!!!! Then next stop it took three pushes. It is on and off with its Gremlins and wiring, I plan to redo it all this winter. I have been concerned with my ground that goes to the small "5 Pin" relay. I believe i need to adress that after this evening on my way home my speedo did not have lighting until i hit a few bumps and it wiggled something i assume. When i went to start the bike i had to give it a few button mashes but it did fire off. The starter is hanging up now for some reason but hey we cant win them all.
I am sure my "5 Pin" is crap junk plastic throw away overpriced internet part. Does anyone know the BOSH relay PN that is assigned by bosh not HD? I think i saw it mentioned in one of the other threads on this issue and it is the relay used on the EVO.
As always Thanks Guys
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
I don't like this set up, you would have the full cranking amps (200 + ) interrupted by the big relay when you let go of start button. Not sure of the relays rating though.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 895
From: Nuremberg, Germany
yah, i don't like this set up either the OEM wiring is simpler & you don't need the big extra relay to make it a reliable system ! i just posted this to clarify what the big relay was, they were not used on the 84 Softail , but was used by the aftermarket Co. that sells the Lever action Solenoid . . . . ok , catch ya later, 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
If you ever have an old Shovelhead that has a habit of starter run on, that blue streak relay will ensure the starter shuts off when you release the button, because it controls the high amperage to the starter.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 895
From: Nuremberg, Germany
If you ever have an old Shovelhead that has a habit of starter run on, that blue streak relay will ensure the starter shuts off when you release the button, because it controls the high amperage to the starter.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
The blue streak relay was used in on some FX models, I think maybe early `85. The only reason I brought it up was because the op clearly stated that his bike was supposed to have one.
I don`t think we even know what he is working on...
I don`t think we even know what he is working on...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 895
From: Nuremberg, Germany
i am sorry Dan,
i got this thread mixed up with a similar thread thats current in the Evo section, yes you are right this big relay was used from 73 to 79 shovels , my bikes are '83 so i have no experience with this big relay set up my self, but i do know the newer set up with the Bosch relay works really well.
i got this thread mixed up with a similar thread thats current in the Evo section, yes you are right this big relay was used from 73 to 79 shovels , my bikes are '83 so i have no experience with this big relay set up my self, but i do know the newer set up with the Bosch relay works really well.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 965
From: Eastern NC
If you ever have an old Shovelhead that has a habit of starter run on, that blue streak relay will ensure the starter shuts off when you release the button, because it controls the high amperage to the starter.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
This configuration will protect the starter switch in the handlebar because the small relay limits the current in the switch, and the big relay controls the high current to the starter. This configuration was used by the factory for several years late in the Shovelhead era.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
With the big relay in series with the cranking circuit there is a good chance you might weld the contacts closed when you have excessive voltage drop due to low battery, failing battery. The starter solenoid is the only "relay" capable of handling full cranking amps.
The blue streak relay is an automobile starter relay, used for many years on Fords, and can handle the amperage drawn by a starter motor cranking a V-8 engine, they are rated at 300 amps.
This type relay was used as an OEM starter relay on some model Harley Davidsons.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Sep 18, 2021 at 08:07 PM.