Wiring
depends on what universal handlebar switches you got. can you post a pic or link to them? did they come with a wiring diagram? i'm assuming the plugs are different and you're going to have to re-do the plugs to get them to connect to your stock wires. luckily it's pretty easy. what year is your sportster?
stock handlebars (at least 93-09) use "deutsch" connector plugs. female and male deutsch plugs can be dissassembled for re-use, here's a handy video to show you how this works:
i'm guessing your universal switches don't have the right plugs. you can either buy some new 6-pin deutsch connectors (assuming yours is 93-09, not sure about the newer models) and wire them to your universal switch, or you can dissassemble the deutsch plugs from your old handlebar controls if ya have em, but you'll still need to get some new crimp terminal ends for the deutsch plugs.
hope this helps. i can't get any more specific without knowing what aftermarket switches you got, or what year your sportster is. you can add your sportster year to your user profile or signature so it automatically shows up on posts.
stock handlebars (at least 93-09) use "deutsch" connector plugs. female and male deutsch plugs can be dissassembled for re-use, here's a handy video to show you how this works:
hope this helps. i can't get any more specific without knowing what aftermarket switches you got, or what year your sportster is. you can add your sportster year to your user profile or signature so it automatically shows up on posts.
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Switch control wiring
depends on what universal handlebar switches you got. can you post a pic or link to them? did they come with a wiring diagram? i'm assuming the plugs are different and you're going to have to re-do the plugs to get them to connect to your stock wires. luckily it's pretty easy. what year is your sportster?
stock handlebars (at least 93-09) use "deutsch" connector plugs. female and male deutsch plugs can be dissassembled for re-use, here's a handy video to show you how this works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EixzYfBS50
i'm guessing your universal switches don't have the right plugs. you can either buy some new 6-pin deutsch connectors (assuming yours is 93-09, not sure about the newer models) and wire them to your universal switch, or you can dissassemble the deutsch plugs from your old handlebar controls if ya have em, but you'll still need to get some new crimp terminal ends for the deutsch plugs.
hope this helps. i can't get any more specific without knowing what aftermarket switches you got, or what year your sportster is. you can add your sportster year to your user profile or signature so it automatically shows up on posts.
stock handlebars (at least 93-09) use "deutsch" connector plugs. female and male deutsch plugs can be dissassembled for re-use, here's a handy video to show you how this works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EixzYfBS50
i'm guessing your universal switches don't have the right plugs. you can either buy some new 6-pin deutsch connectors (assuming yours is 93-09, not sure about the newer models) and wire them to your universal switch, or you can dissassemble the deutsch plugs from your old handlebar controls if ya have em, but you'll still need to get some new crimp terminal ends for the deutsch plugs.
hope this helps. i can't get any more specific without knowing what aftermarket switches you got, or what year your sportster is. you can add your sportster year to your user profile or signature so it automatically shows up on posts.
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
These are the wires from old 6 wire and new 8 wire
wondering how to make them pair up with the 6 on my bike
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,558
Likes: 3,982
From: San Diego, CA
It looks like your new switch unit has male pins and the old one has female sockets? Can you trace the wires to each switch, and match by that method? Can you post up a link to the switchgear you purchased? There is no wiring key with the new switches? Does the vendor have that information?
John
John
Last edited by John Harper; Mar 17, 2025 at 06:07 PM.
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Both old
Both new, changing ends atm just not sure why one has 8 wires instead of 6? and if I just plug them into the 12 pin deutsch and they will be fine or what am I missing
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2025
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,558
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From: San Diego, CA
Is there an extra function on the new switchgear not on the old that would explain the two extras? I would just look a what color wire is connected to each individual switch component on the new, and compare to the wires on the old? You must be able to see the wires at the individual switches, where soldered to them?
I'm guessing it might be the kill switch/start switch where the extras are. I thought there were only two, not four? IDK as I have a 1991. Check the wiring diagram for your year bike and see how many wires are supposed to go where, you might have to splice one or two.
Can you post up a link to the vendor of the new switches?
John
I'm guessing it might be the kill switch/start switch where the extras are. I thought there were only two, not four? IDK as I have a 1991. Check the wiring diagram for your year bike and see how many wires are supposed to go where, you might have to splice one or two.
Can you post up a link to the vendor of the new switches?
John
Last edited by John Harper; Mar 17, 2025 at 07:31 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 1,582
From: Scottish Highlands.
Those are Japanese style connector blocks, are you sure that the switch housings will fit the 1" diameter bars on a Harley? Universal switch gear is usually made for metric motorcycles with 22mm (7/8") diameter bars.
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