Hi there

I've got a buddy with an 07 (50th)  Anniversary Sportster which yesterday decided not to show the neutral light in the led module. Made sure the gear linkage was adjusted correctly although nothing has changed since the bike was bought new.

Done a bit of research and apparently the neutral light switch is the culprit and a common problem. It sits in behind the front drive belt pulley. Anyone replaced the switch? Easy job?

Also and this is also a question I could not answer for him. He reckons he's always been able to start the bike with ignition on-> switch set to run->press the starter while the bike was in neutral. Now the only way to start the bike with it in neutral is with the clutch lever pulled in??? Something to do with the neutral light not working?

 

Cheers

The neutral light on mine wouldn't come on for a week after I got caught in a torrential downpour for a 100km or so. I pulled the fuses and relays and cleaned them all up (they were dripping wet and oxidised) and after a few days the light came back on and hasn't stopped since. It had gone out before after I took the exhausts off, and I think that was from knocking the wiring near the pulley. Give the fuses a cleanup and wriggle the wiring around and see what happens. I have a vague memory that without the neutral light the clutch had to be in to start it, but I always pull the clutch in anyway out of habit.

Hi there

Thanks for the advice. I'll check it for him because although he loves to ride he's not very mechanically minded.

He called around today to show me a slight oil weep which apperas to be coming from the the top left hand corner of the the rear cylinder rocker cover. I'm assuming that would be an easy fix? From my dark distant memory it's just a rubber moulded seal which inserts between the top cover (outer) and the inner rocker cover?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

If it is only a slight weep I wouldn't bother doing the gasket. A bit of misting at the cover joint is pretty common and a wipe with a cloth after a run will keep it in check. Even replacing the gasket may not stop it weeping again. Mine mists from the left hand side on the rear rocker cover and from the inspection cover on the primary case. If it is dribbling badly check that the cover is still tight first. Some unexpected parts of the bike get loose from vibration.

Yes, if it's actually dripping then it needs a seal job. The oil loss is negligible, but it gets blown back over everything and makes an incredible mess. If the rocker cover has been off at some stage the seal was probably not seated properly when the cover was bolted down again. I usually give the surfaces a *very* thin wipe with molybdenum Disulphide (MolyDi) bearing grease to hold gaskets and seals in place when reassembling. Sticky as hell and it is safe with rubber and plastics.

Vise grip Chain pliers mate and a strip of emery paper rough side down under the chain, can break any fly wheel with that combo

Good luck with it mate

hahaha, I also have a 50th anniversary sporty with exactly the same faults as your mates, the nuetral light and the left indicator light on the instrument cluster didnt work, turns out it was the wiring harness, got it replaced under warranty and its all good now, had a look at the old harness and you could see oxidisation. also my rear rocker cover is leaking, have ordered new seals etc so gonna do that job when i get back from work.

what number is your mates? mine is 1750/2000

cheers Rolly