My 84 Shovel had one.
That thing ate those hitachi starters
& solenoids like peanuts. When eng was hot,
I would use it. Sometimes had to nudge it w/the
kicker.
I've never known of one on a newer one.
Couldn't hurt

 

If you're lookin to go no switches, check into the GripAce. Great setup, just installed one on mine this winter. Same setup Exile uses for their clean bar look.

 

Are they water proof?

They look like water could get in around the button...

Thanks
Doug

 

So this button bypasses the solenoid relay and carries the entire load of the starter? Must be one heavy duty button to be able to handle close to 1k watts without burning the contacts. What gauge wire did you use for the bypass circuit?

 

I would jump the terminals with a screwdriver on the 79

 

+1 Button would be nice though.

 

I think what these covers do is allow the operator to manually push the solenoid forward, which, itself, makes the contacts for the starter to turn. Instead of electrically (magnetically) moving the solenoid via the use of the low-power switch on your handlebars, you are manually, physically moving the solenoid. It is the solenoid that makes the electrical contact for the starter. There is no "electricity" moving through the solenoid starter button, nor does the solenoid starter button carry any power.

 

Got one on my fatboy. Got rid of all the switches off my bars and tank. Put the headlight and air-ride switches, along with idiot/neutral lights on the back of the fork panel. Starter button was easy to install, and once you get a feel for where it is, it's easy to reach without looking, even though those hot pipes are sooooo close lol.

 

My buddy has one on his 1999 FXST.
I think it's safer and cleaner than shorting across the terminals with a screw driver like I've had to do to my FXSTC a few times in the past.

 

I see, so it's strictly a mechanical device. So if you have a relay with burnt contacts, then manually engaging it won't solve the problem of getting voltage to the starter motor.