Ignition switch install problems
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Ignition switch install problems
I've watched the youtube video clip a bunch of times and he makes it look so easy. I didn't make the homemade tool, but just used a paint can lid removal tool. It worked fine to unlock the forks. But now I'm trying to re-install the switch and I can't get it to go down all the way. I turned the forks back to the lock position. But the switch doesn't seem to algin correctly. Hopefully this makes sense. What am I doing wrong?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 107
From: Joplin, MO
Same thing happened to me. I used a screwdriver. Finally got a flashlight and looked down in there and lo and behold its like there is "multiple level plates" down there. I had rotated some but not all of them. Look at the bottom of the shaft that you insert in there. It has like a "T" shape to it. One side is straight and the other side is wedge shaped. Same with the holes on the "plates". They have to all be on the same side. Sorry for the bad part descriptions don't know the proper terminology. Hope this makes sense.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
that's the thing with the "tool" it can contact multiple plates all the way down, a screwdriver or tapered tool may only contact some.
a bent piece of copper pipe will do it
Mike
a bent piece of copper pipe will do it
Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 704
Likes: 23
From: on the mud flats on the edge of slum city
You can buy the tool from here for $25 if you don't want to make one
http://www.marcparnes.com/HarleyIgnitionSwitchTool.htm
http://www.marcparnes.com/HarleyIgnitionSwitchTool.htm
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Here's the tool I made... Obviously, just flattening a piece of tubing is a little easier and probably works just as well, but I wanted something a little more robust and permanent.
Last edited by 2black1s; Feb 12, 2012 at 01:53 PM.