What are the signs of a bad ignition switch?

There are a couple of indicators of a bad ignition switch. The first indicator is if your bike will not start, and you know your battery and connections are good. This seems pretty obvious, but there are other things that can cause your ignition system to fail. If you have a neutral light, you can check to see if it is lighting when you turn your key on. If the neutral light does not come on, it may mean your motorcycle ignition switch is bad. Other indicators would include a loose-fitting key or the bike stalling when riding down the road.

How often should spark plugs be replaced?

This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Harley recommends changing your motorcycle spark plugs every 10,000 miles. This is not because the spark plugs have gone bad, it is simply because they are not as efficient as they were when they were new. Spark plugs wear over time. The edges of the electrodes will eventually burn down. Spending a few dollars to keep your motorcycle running like it should is a good idea. Check your manufacturer recommendations to determine when is best to change your spark plugs.

How do you know if your brake light switch is bad?

It depends on which switch you are trying to diagnose. The brake light switch actuated by your hand brake lever is a tiny momentary switch. If you listen carefully, you can hear it “click” when you apply your hand brake. If your brake light is not coming on, and you do not hear that “click”, it is a good indicator that your switch may be bad. Rear brake pedals typically use plunger mechanical switches. If your brake light is not working when you apply your rear brake pedal, locate the wires to the rear brake switch. Turn off the ignition. Unplug the two wires and jump the circuit with a small piece of wire. If you turn on the ignition and the rear brake light is on, your switch is bad.

What is the average life of a motorcycle battery?

There are a variety of variables that you need to consider when determining the average life-span of a motorcycle battery. AGM lead acid batteries will not last as long as some of the newer lithium batteries. Most lead acid AGM batteries have a 4 year service life span. If you live in a cold climate and do not maintain your battery during the winter months you will greatly reduce the life span of your battery. This applies to Conventional, AGM, and Lithium batteries. During those winter months it is a good practice to keep those batteries charged and in a warm storage area.

What gauge wire is used on motorcycles?

Most motorcycles use 16 to 18 gauge wire for the controls and lights. Items like starters and battery connections use ticker gauge wire typically 12 to 14 gauge.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Electrical & Wiring

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Colony #3607-13 Horn Mounting Kit 1946-1948 Harley-Davidson All Models
$15.50

Colony #8824-8 Coil Mounting Stud Kit 1956-1982 Harley-Davidson Big Twin OEM# 72341-56A - CAD Plated
$13.40

Colony #8823-10 Coil Mounting Stud Kit 1948-1955 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1948-1955 45s OEM# 72341-48 - CAD Plated
$13.40

Standard Motorcycle Products Points & Condenser Kit 1958-1969 Harley-Davidson XL With Magneto
$22.95

Cycle Standard Rubber Battery Strap 1991-17 Harley-Davidson FXST FLST 80-92 FLT 78 XLCR 79 XL
$5.49

Colony #3640-2 Generator Brush Cover Strap/Spring Kit 1958-65 Harley-Davidson FL XL Servi-Car
$22.00

Colony #3346-1 Horn Power Pack Rubber Mount 1954-64 Harley-Davidson FL FLH XL XLH
$22.00

V-Twin Manufacturing Distributor Hold Down Clamp 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson XL 1936-1973 WL
$20.25 $22.50

Colony #8146-10 Circuit Breaker & Voltage Regulator Screws 1936-1964 Harley-Davidson OHV Twins - CAD Plated
$10.04

Colony #3146-1 Breaker Point Eccentric Screw 1947-70 Harley Davidson — Colony #3146-1 Breaker Point Eccentric Screw Harley-Davidson OEM# 30507-47A
$9.68

Colony #2172-16 Alternator Cover/Derby Cover Allen Screw Kit 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
1 review $19.29

Colony #3727-11 Battery Box Mounting Kit 1930-1936 Harley-Davidson VL
$19.00

Colony #7804-6 Spark Plug Cable Packing Nut Kit 1927-1959 Harley-Davidson Coils
1 review $18.12

Colony #9681-7 Generator Mounting Hardware Kit 1930-1957 Harley-Davidson Twins - Parkerized
$16.50

Colony #8214-7 Generator Mounting Hardware Kit 1930-1957 Harley-Davidson Twins - Chrome Plated
1 review $16.50

Cycle Standard Chrome Distributor Cover 1936-64 Harley-Davidson Big Twins K KH Sportster and 45 inch Twins
$14.49

Colony #8152-2 Generator Screw Kit 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
3 reviews $7.17

Cycle Standard Transmission Neutral Switch 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster
$15.72

Colony #3214-4 Generator Pole Screw Kit 1951 - 1957 Harley-Davidson Twins — Colony #3214-4 Generator Pole Screw Kit 1951-1957 Harley-Davidson All Twins - Parkerized
$6.96

Colony #2991-2 Generator Screw Kit Special 5/16 inch case holes Harley Big Twins 36-57 — Colony #2991-2 Special Generator Screw Kit 5/16 inch Case Holes 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$12.10

Colony #3700-5 Chrome Ignition Coil Mount Plate 1985-2003 Harley-Davidson XL 94-01 Touring 91-99 Softail 91-94 Dyna
$11.00

Colony #9880-2 Generator Screw Kit 1971-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.76

Colony #8210-2 Generator Mounting Screws 1958-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - CAD Plated
$8.78

Colony #3348-12 CAD Plated Ignition Switch Mounting Kit 1939-46 Harley-Davidson Twins
$8.71

Colony #3172-1 Ignition Switch Contact Roller Harley Davidson 1936-1984 Big Twins — Colony #3172-1 Ignition Switch Contact Roller 1936-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$8.47

Colony #3444-2 Control Coil Clamp - Left 1926-34 Harley-Davidson Singles 29-50 45s
$7.87

Colony #2503-4 Brake Light Switch Mounting Kit 1939-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Parkerized
1 review $7.57

Colony #3183-4 Battery Wing Nuts CAD 5/16-18 — Colony #3183-4 Battery Wing Nuts 5/16-18 Harley-Davidson OEM# 554A - Parkerized
$7.26

Colony #3147-2 Air Horn Cover Mount Screws 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$7.26

Colony #9712-2 Generator Screw Kit 1937-1957 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
$6.78

Colony #3646-5 Ignition Coil Mounting Plate Kit 1965-84 Harley-Davidson FL FX XL
$6.60

Colony #3174-4 Battery Wing Nuts Parkerized 5/16-18 — Colony #3174-4 Battery Wing Nuts 5/16-18 Thread OEM# 66387-26 - Parkerized
$4.84

Colony #3749-2 Magneto To Crankase Seal Kit 1958-1965 Harley-Davidson XLCH
$4.40

Dynatek Performance Electronics 2000I PC Programmable Electronic Ignition Kit for Harley-Davidsons - Includes Module and Pair DC3-1 Coils
$456.65

Dynatek Performance Electronics 2000I PC Programmable Electronic Ignition Kit for Harley-Davidsons - Includes Module and DC-6-5 Twin Fire II Mini Coil
$456.65

Colony #3701-5 Chrome Ignition Coil Mounting Plate Kit 1949-1959 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 52-70 K XL
$9.90

Colony #3716-2 Battery Mat Set 1915-64 Harley-Davidson 6 Volt Battery Models
$11.00

Cycle Standard Transmission Neutral Switch 2000-05 Harley-Davidson FXST FLST FLT 2000-04 FXD
$12.58

Martian Machine Sideways Can Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Veritcal
$45.00

Martian Machine Sideways Can Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Twin Cam
$45.00

Martian Machine Heart Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Veritcal
1 review $45.00

Martian Machine Heart Cast Aluminum Points Cover - M8
$45.00

Cycle Electric Generator DGV-5000-LH 12 Volt Low Voltage - 1936-1964 Harley-Davidsons w/Heli Coils
$503.03 $536.22

Colony #3645-5 Ignition Coil Mounting Plate Kit 1985-03 Harley-Davidson XL 94-01 Touring 91-99 Softail 91-94 Dyna
$7.70

Cycle Electric Generator DGV-2578-H 6 Volt for 1936-1957 Harley-Davidsons w/Heli Coils
$384.01 $411.07

Cycle Standard Battery Bottom Plate Bracket - Chrome - Early Harley-Davidson 6 Volt Big Twins
$10.88

Colony #3609-9 Horn Mounting Kit 1952-1954 Harley-Davidson All Models
$37.50

Colony #3608-9 Horn Mounting Kit 1949-1951 Harley-Davidson All Models
$37.50

Colony #3616-1 Horn Mount Flexible Connection 1936-1941 Harley-Davidson All Models (except VL)
$8.80

S&S Cycle Ignition Rotor - 1970-99 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$21.95

Drag Specialties Dual-Fire Ignition Coil - 2007-21 Harley-Davidson XL 2015-20 XG500/_750
$99.95

Drag Specialties Single-Fire Ignition Coil - 1999-06 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 2004-06 XL
$61.95

Dynatek Performance Electronics Single Fire Ignition and Coil Kit - 1971-2003 Harley-Davidson XL 1970-99 Big Twins
$325.54

Dynatek Performance Electronics 2000-HDE PC-Programmable Digital Ignition Module - Single or Dual Fire 1994-97 Harley-Davidson XL 1994-99 FX FL Models
$264.43

Dynatek Performance Electronics 2000-HDE PC-Programmable Digital Ignition Module - Single or Dual Fire 1990-93 Harley-Davidson XL 1991-95 FX Models
$264.43

Rawhide Cycles Electronic Ignition for 1970-1999 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Evolution and Sportsters
$219.00

Dynatek Performance Electronics 5 ohm Single Coils - Pair
$198.88

Drag Specialties 5 ohm Dual Outlet Coil Single-Fire for Dual Plug Heads
$68.95

Drag Specialties Replacement Starter - 1990-2006 Harley-Davidson Big Twin/Twin Cam - Black
1 review $319.95

Drag Specialties Replacement Starter - 1986-2020 Harley-Davidson Sportsters - Chrome
$375.95

Drag Specialties Replacement Starter - 1986-2020 Harley-Davidson Sportsters - Black
$365.95

Colony #3538-4 Magneto Vent Cover Kit 1958-69 Harley-Davidson XLCH
$18.70

Colony #3378-1 Timer Wire and Control Coil Clip 1930-33 Harley-Davidson Twins
$32.99

Colony #3529-7 Horn Trumpet Mount 1954-64 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1957-64 Sportster
$17.88

Colony #3491-2 Horn Adjusting Screw Kit 1931-1957 Delco-Remy Horns
$9.68

Colony #3405-4 Chrome Plated Battery Box Wing Nuts 5/16-18 OEM# 66387-26 4409-26
$7.87

Colony #3404-4 Chrome Plated Battery Box Wing Nuts 1/4-20 OEM# 4409-24 66387-24
$7.87

Colony #3359-10 Magneto Ground Terminal Assembly 1958-69 Harley-Davidson XLCH
$7.87

Colony #3313-6 Battery Terminal Screws All 6 V. 1923 - 1965 Harley-Davidson
$16.34

Cycle Standard 5 Post Ignition Key Switch Replaces Harley-Davidson OEM # 71500-36T - Black Bezel
9 reviews $39.52

Colony #3259-1 Wire Clip 1924-1929 Harley-Davidson J/JD/DH 1930 VL/VC 1931-1932 Singles - Parkerized
1 review $16.50

Colony #3222-1 Spark Plug Cable Bracket 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Zinc Plated
$13.92

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