Starter Relays

Relay for the electric starter

The basic function of a relay is simple: if the switch or button (on a motorcycle usually the one on the handlebars) has no room for large-dimension switching contacts, you use it only to activate a small solenoid, which then takes over the closing of the actual switching contacts. For protection against the elements the whole thing is packed into a housing.

It is known that 150-200 A flow through the starter motor during starting, in case of a stroker engine with high compression even more. But also the two windings of the solenoid switch together draw 6 A, i.e. definitely more than your handlebar button can handle, which was originally designed for a horn. The solution: before the solenoid switch comes another relay, the starter relay. The difference to other relays lies more in the design than in the function. At the beginning of the 1980s, Harley-Davidson also standardized all the relays step by step. This saved suppliers, costs, stock-keeping ... Harley had to deal with economic problems at that time.

Which starter relay is the right one for my Harley?

Basically all starter relays work the same, which one you choose and install for your electrical system is more a question of space and connectors. If the starter relay is to be an original replacement, you go by the model assignment of the items in our store. The spare part number from the parts manual also works in the search function in the store. And because not all Harleys are 100% original, it always helps to compare our photos and illustrations with the part you have just removed. The connection is also not witchcraft: the house electrician took the trouble to draw connection sketches for all relays.