Ignition switches explored!

[Robert Luland]

Alrighty then lads! Here goes a question that I and a zillion people have asked. The early dash switches had the key numbers stamped into the cylinder face. I have one sitting on my desk with no numbers and I can tell you it’s a Briggs-Stratton key. There is one on Fleese-Bay right now new in the box and has no markings on the cylinder. The after market piece of schitt has a different key blank you can spot a mile off. Some one out there shed some light on this subject. Bob

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=010

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1948 FL
1957FL
1960FLH
1965 XLCH
2006 FLHT
Five more in crates with good paper!
Restore for life, Restore for the next generation! O the hell with this. Just save something of what used to be America.
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[vph-d]

The early switches 36-47 have the code number stamped on the cylinder face. The Panhead switches have no number on the face, and I believe, no real tumbler inside the cylinder. I guess the keyed neck lock was supposed to keep people honest, since any Panhead key worked any other ignition switch.

This situation continued until about 63? or 64, when a keyed cylinder was again used in the switch. The part number reverted back to 71500-36. In 67, the number changed to 71500-36A to reflect the change in ign. switch cover. That number was used until 1973, when 71500-73 was was introduced with the six terminal ignition switch.
VPH-D

[Chris Haynes]

I bought several NOS switches during the '60's/'70's. All of them had tumblers in them and key codes on the face.

[portagepan]

So in '65 the FL's had a numbered tumbler, and the old style cover?
Mike

[portagepan]

Chris, are you sure about the switches with no numbers? We need some definitive answers here. I just passed up what looked like an old, very nice 5 post switch at an auction, because there were no numbers on it. It did have the brown fiber plate, that looked liike the other Harley one I have. Of course, it probably went for next to nothing. A '49 Pan, "older restoration" that looked pretty good, went for 19 biggies. I guess somebody wanted it! There was a beautiful '57 Chevy 2 door, restored right, and it only went for the same. I would of gone ahead and bought that Chevy, if I had a place to store it. It sure brought back memories. We had three of them in our family. Can you say cheater slicks?
Mike

[Chris Haynes]

[QUOTE=portagepan;69280]Chris, are you sure about the switches with no numbers?


All the switches I bought from H-D during that time had numbners on them. I don't know when the numbers stopped but obviously the one on eBay has none.

[Robert Luland]

The sad part about the switch on Fleese-Bay is the box has no Manf date on it. That would give us a time frame. it looks like a sixties box. Bob

[portagepan]

Chris, I don't know how I managed to misread your post. Thanks. I am just curious- since the judges can't touch a bike during inspection, if you had the key cover closed. what would it mean as far as the key code, stamp? Just curious. I hate fakes!
Mike

[Robert Luland]

That switch on Fleese-Bay just went for $560.00 claims.

[vph-d]

Chris,
The switches you bought in the 60s and 70s were part number 71500-36 or 36A. Both of those switches have tumblers with numbers and were available at least into the late 70s.
The 71500-48 switches have no tumblers in the cylinders.
VPH-D

[Chris Haynes]

The last switches I bought were the type with the Shovelhead cover on them. They fit Pan, Shovel, and Hummers

[vph-d]

Chris,
The ignition switch with the the Shovelhead cover is p/n 71500-36A. That switch was available until the late 70s.
VPH-D

[sswaney]

Anyone actually know?

OK, I did a search on the site and this thread seems to be the closest to the question I have.
Can anyone tell me when the Key Code stopped appearing on the switch tumbler?
I have what appears to be a 1965 dash assembly that looks to be intact and unmolested. The switch has the the numbers printed on the tumbler. It is possible it was switched out at some point but I would really like to know when the change was made.

MB

[Rubone]

I believe the numbers re-appeared on the switch in '62. If you study the parts book carefully it tells you, as the new tumbler (which is just the old tumbler re-introduced) appears around that time. I recently looked it up but I am not at my books right now! a '65 would have a code.
Robbie

[upsrod]

My 62 has the blank cylinder, it was built Dec. 6 of 1961. My parts book says they were used
48-63.