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On a 2003 Road King, is there a neutral starting switch or can the bike be started in gear without pulling in the clutch? Just wondering because mine will start in any gear whether the clutch lever is engaged or not.
Vernal, yes I know there is an indicator switch that turns the neutral light on and that works. My question is should this bike start in gear without using the clutch lever/ One day I left it gear and forgot to put it in neutral, hit the starter and the bike lurched forward. I always thought vehicles were not supposed to start in gear. That switch just indicates that it is in or out.
My 02 Fatboy will start in gear, however it would damage the starter if you do it often. AFAIK, the neutral switch is just for the green "N" light on the dash. Btw, I replaced my switch a couple years ago because the green light wasn't working.
I looked at the starting schematic for 2004 and I don't see any neutral or clutch switch.
The 2010 Schematic shows the clutch switch and input to TSSM. So I don't see one on your bike. I hope someone else confirms this or shows me what I missed .
My 2009 Road King will also start in gear . Good thing I found out while being on it with the brakes applied , otherwise I'm sure it would have crashed .
I think many of the non-HD brand bikes have a clutch safety switch. If the bike is in gear and the clutch is not pulled in, the bike will not start. The HD bikes do not have this, at least not in the US. Not sure why the MoCo doesn't have this feature, other than it's not mandated by the Feds.
I think it depends on the model and year. My '08 Wide Glide and '11 Limited will not try to start in gear with the clutch out. There is an interlock switch on the clutch lever.
My brother's '06 Deuce will lurch forward when trying to start in gear with the clutch out. No interlock switch.
I think it depends on the model and year. My '08 Wide Glide and '11 Limited will not try to start in gear with the clutch out. There is an interlock switch on the clutch lever.
Then I stand corrected. I've seen later model bikes at the local dealer do that...embarrassed riders for sure.
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neutral starting switch
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