Starter Relay question

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Sep 19, 2021 | 07:17 AM

#21

Joe12RK

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 6,157

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From: CT/FL

That big relay was also a Ford relay. Either way will work, just depends on how original you want to be.

Sep 19, 2021 | 10:37 AM

#22

SAVAGE_SHOVEL

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2020

Posts: 125

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From: Connecticut

The addition of the big relay that came into discussion here and originally brought up by (JZ I believe) is to drop all current to that starter because if you dont and it get stuck on there will be a problem. I have a 1971 FX that someone turned into a FLH sometime around the introduction of the Evo because my bike consist of that time with the arrray of part numbers on it. It originally only had the bosh style relay that wasn't even hooked up correctly.

Sep 19, 2021 | 04:19 PM

#23

Redrodyankneck

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 2,285

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From: Eastern NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

That is simply not true...

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.

This type relay is on my bike and it serves as the start relay. It carries, for a split second, 40 amps for pull in current drops to 15-20 amps hold current for the starter solenoid. I tired to look up the rating for this relay 71463-73A and was unable to find it's rating so I thought no way would this be used for cranking amps. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Looks like this relay is overkill but maybe the only thing available in 1979? Must be why they went with the bosh type relay 31506-79B in 1980 as it is not overkill , much smaller and rated much closer for the current draw in the circuit.