Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ignition switch disassembly

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 10:42 AM
  #11  
Richard Lang's Avatar
Richard Lang
Novice
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: arkansas
Default

Here's the video on Utube that shows how to reinstall that switch. The guy does it so simply, he should take his show to Vegas, it's not going to be as easy as he does it, but it'll work. BTW, does anyone have the name & address of the idiot that designed this switch? There's a Pulitzer waiting for him, a person that designs a device that generates hundreds of blogs, threads, discussions, and Utube videos showing thousands of bikers scratching their heads while attempting to reinstall that son of a *****.

..
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 10:55 AM
  #12  
Michael R Moore's Avatar
Michael R Moore
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
Default

Awesome that video is very helpful. I think that was my problem is i removed it while in the on position. Video explains well what happens I that case. Hopefully when I get home I can get it corrected. Thanks again.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 06:49 PM
  #13  
Michael R Moore's Avatar
Michael R Moore
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
Default

Well damn. Now it won’t come out at all. No matter what position. The button clicks in and the ignition pops up a tiny bit but won’t cone out. Forks are locked and the acc is on. Don’t want to force it of course but no matter what position it won’t cone out!


Originally Posted by Michael R Moore
Awesome that video is very helpful. I think that was my problem is i removed it while in the on position. Video explains well what happens I that case. Hopefully when I get home I can get it corrected. Thanks again.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2019 | 11:53 PM
  #14  
Richard Lang's Avatar
Richard Lang
Novice
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: arkansas
Default

Mr. Moore...……………..Why the lock won't come out at all, even with all the BS I went through (the same problems you are having) I have NO further advice for you. If you are absolutely certain that you have completely raised that small lever & turned the key CCW, I'm at a loss.....Surely there's a bunch of riders on this forum that can aid you...…...Good luck...Ric Lang
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2019 | 08:16 AM
  #15  
Michael R Moore's Avatar
Michael R Moore
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
Default

after much fussing I did get it out....went ahead and took the entire module off so as to have more leverage. just had to keep twisting and pushing and it finally popped off. was able to get the tumblers lined back up and now its back on and all good...thanks for the help!
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2019 | 05:40 PM
  #16  
AussieDog's Avatar
AussieDog
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 802
From: Washington
Default

I'm convinced that damn ignition switch is a right of passage - your not a "real biker" unless you own a Harley. No - your not a "real biker" until you get that damn switch back together. The first time I did it I about threw in the towel and hauled it in to the dealer. Kept trying the 'long thin screwdriver blade to align the slots' thing over and over to no avail. Made a tool from copper tubing like I read about - no dice. Quit messing with it for a couple days, went back to it and it went back together slick. How could it have been so hard??? Now, if I even think about taking that switch apart I get that copper tubing tool out to stick in there, to keep things aligned. There should be an ignition switch merit badge.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2019 | 07:17 PM
  #17  
peddler's Avatar
peddler
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Default

What makes working on the ignition switch challenging is the lack of visibility and understanding of what you are actually trying to accomplish. Take the whole lock assembly apart. After you can actually see and understand how it works you'll realize it's not rocket science.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2019 | 07:27 PM
  #18  
skinman13's Avatar
skinman13
Outstanding HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by peddler
What makes working on the ignition switch challenging is the lack of visibility and understanding of what you are actually trying to accomplish. Take the whole lock assembly apart. After you can actually see and understand how it works you'll realize it's not rocket science.
True...but knowing why it is being a **** doesn't make it any easier to get it off and on
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 9, 2019 | 01:22 PM
  #19  
peddler's Avatar
peddler
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Default

Originally Posted by skinman13
True...but knowing why it is being a **** doesn't make it any easier to get it off and on
If understanding how the switch assembly works doesn't make removal and installation easier, I'd suggest finding someone else to do it for you. Just my opinion
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
flyboyron
Touring Models
3
Apr 6, 2018 07:49 AM
ksummers
Dyna Glide Models
0
Jun 7, 2017 06:55 PM
switzead
General Harley Davidson Chat
0
Sep 6, 2014 09:27 PM
stuart1270
Touring Models
1
Oct 7, 2012 12:50 PM
Pelonz
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Mar 1, 2005 12:16 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:09 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE