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 Big Twin Motorcycle Electrical & Wiring

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Cycle Standard Ignition Advance Unit - Stainless Steel - 1970-Up Harley-Davidson OEM# 3251770T
$84.65

Cycle Electric CE-500 Replacement Regulator for DGV-5000 Generator
1 review $163.11 $172.80

Cycle Standard Deluxe Black Motorcycle Brake Light Switch Harley-Davidson 1937 - 1957 Knucklehead Panhead Flathead OEM #72004-39
17 reviews $25.28

Martian Machine Spiral Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Veritcal
$45.00

Cycle Standard Chrome 6V Coil 1947 & Up Harley-Davidson
1 review $43.99

Cycle Standard Battery Bottom Plate - Chrome - Early Harley-Davidson 6 Volt Big Twins
$43.55

Cycle Standard Chrome 6V Square Coil 1948-60 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$60.76

Standard Motorcycle Products Ignition Sensor Assembly - 1995-97 Harley-Davidson XL 1998-03 XL1200S
2 reviews $56.66 $62.95

Standard Motorcycle Products Ignition Sensor Assembly - 1980-94 Harley-Davidson XL 1980-84 Big Twin
1 review $56.66 $62.95

Cycle Standard 6 Post Ignition Key Switch Replaces Harley-Davidson OEM # 71501-73A - Chrome Bezel
7 reviews $38.59

Drag Specialties Points & Condenser Kit 1948-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1957-1970 XL
$14.95

Mooneyes Finned Points Cover for Harley-Davdison 1999 & Up Twin Cam
4 reviews $51.99

Bates BattBoy 65 Battery Box 1965-84 Harley-Davidson FL FLH and 1967-78 XL
6 reviews $101.26

Cycle Standard Chrome 12V Coil 1947 & Up Harley-Davidson
2 reviews $50.59

Martian Machine Sideways Can Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Horizontal
1 review $45.00

Martian Machine Spiral Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Horizontal
$45.00

Drag Specialties Breaker Plate Assembly 1970-1999 Harley Davidson Big Twin 1971-2003 XL Points Ignition (Except Single Fire Ignition)
$16.95

Cycle Standard Battery Hold Down Rod - Chrome - Early Harley-Davidson 6 Volt Big Twins
$13.19

Cycle Standard 24 inch Handlebar Wiring Extension Kit - Fits All 1996 - 2006 Harley-Davidson Models
10 reviews $35.93

Cycle Standard Black 6V Square Coil 1948-60 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$60.76

Lowbrow Customs Bolt On 13/16 inch Ignition Key Switch Bracket for Harley-Davidson 4 Speed Transmissions - Tumbled Stainless
8 reviews $19.95

Colony #8154-2 Generator Mounting Screws 1958-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
2 reviews $9.56

Colony #2281-18 Spark Coil Mounting Kit 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$47.38

Martian Machine Heart Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Horizontal
$45.00

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

Cycle Standard Flat Points Cover OEM# 32588-70A for Harley-Davdison 1970 & Up XL 1970 - 1999 Big Twin
2 reviews $8.99

Blue Streak High-Performance Points - 1970-79 Harley-Davidson
2 reviews $19.95

Blue Streak High-Performance Condenser - 1970-79 Harley-Davidson
$9.95

Colony #8153-2 Generator Mounting Screws 1958-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $12.74

Colony #3531-9 Horn Face Screw and Nut Kit 1931-57 Harley-Davidson Springer
$11.50

Standard Motorcycle Products Points & Condenser Kit 1970-E1978 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead (L1978-1984 Big Twin if converted to points) 1971-E1978 XL
$16.95

Colony #3362-1 Battery Upper Bolt Lock Plate 1930-36 Harley-Davidson VL 74 and 80 Twins
$15.72

Colony #8765-2 Point Cover Allen Head Screws 1979-Up All Harley-Davidson - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $4.38

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

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 #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

Colony #2964-2 Generator Frame Screw Kit 1932-1957 Harley-Davidson Twins - Parkerized
$15.84

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martian Machine Heart Cast Aluminum Points Cover - Veritcal
1 review $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 #3608-9 Horn Mounting Kit 1949-1951 Harley-Davidson All Models
$37.50

Colony #3609-9 Horn Mounting Kit 1952-1954 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

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

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