I have a 01 sportster and relocated the key switch to beside the choke. The new mount actually bolts to the motor mount. I started it up for the first time since doing this and let it run for about thirty minutes. Shortly after that I went to restart it and nothing. It would come on acc. but not to start. I traced it down to the ignition switch and the wires were frayed and you could tell that they were the problem. My question is that surly it couldn’t have gotten that hot so quick to damage the switch. I really do not want to replace it and have the same problem again. I also need to know if I would be able to buy a regular switch with no acc. and just tie the two wires together and everything function right.

 

first off were the wires burnt or frayed? If they were burnt then I would say yes it is getting too hot. How close is it to the exhaust? remember heat rises. second there are more than 2 wires to the ignition. I do not know how many or what they go to but i would not suggest wiring 2 together. one would be constant hot, one gets juice whan the bike is in the on position the wiring harness is too expensive to have to replace if you screw it up.jmo

 

It is not near the exhaust, it is on the left side right by the choke. The wires were damaged almost right when they come out of the switch.