1998 Sportster 1200s-no Speedo,turn Signals Or Brake Lights

Please Help- I Dont Have Much Motorcycle Repair Experience, But Have Worked On My Share Of Cars. Bike:98 Sportster 1200s. Problem: Turn Signals Do Not Flash, Speedo / Speedo Light / Odometer Isnt Working, And Brake Light Isnt Working. Bike Starts And Runs, Shuts Off Like Normal. Tach Works Fine. I Have Taken Out The Battery, Cleaned The Terminals, Removed The Tank And Seat And Checked Every Connection To Make Sure They Are Pluged In. It Started This Today, And Has Been Consistent And Not Intermittent. I Have A 97 Owners Manuals Ans It Says There Are No Fuses, But There Are Breakers. Where Are The Breakers And Are They More Like Relays? Any Ideas? Thanks Much!

Go get the factory service manual for your bike - big changes to that model in 1998. Not the owner's manual, the factory service manual. 1200S made from 1998-2003 is the best performing bike H-D ever put on the showroom floor - but it does have several parts exclusive to that model.

I Have Heard The 1200s Is Something Special, With The Dual Plug Heads And Dual Front Brake Rotors Etc.... And I See What Looks Like Relays. - Are Those The "circuit Breakers". Anywhere To Get Specs? I Have An Ohmeter. I Still Have It Torn Apart. I Just Got This Bike And The Guy I Got It From Is Looking For The Manual He Has, So I Dont Wanna Buy A New One Just Yet... Thanks =)

Go get the H-D factory service manual. Two friends of mine have '98 1200S models & yes they are special, but don't even think about getting into the electrical without the manual - not one from AutoZone either - bite the bullet & get the factory one, or you'll never get the bike right - believe me.

ok, sounds good..too bad this happened so quick, since i just got the bike, but i guess theres no way to learn, without jumping in =) i'll see if the book he has is oem harley. i worked at a ford dealer for 10 years, and have seen the difference with oem manuals, so i know what you mean. if anyone has heard of this problem in the mean time, please give me a shout. Thanks

i just fixed it.... i went through the wiring again. there is an area with a metal cover to the right of the battery. i took the cover off originally, and all you see is a piece of plastic, so i put it back on. so, i took the cover off and i could see wires behind it, but i had checked those already, from the top. i pulled on the plastic piece, which was held in by grommets, and it popped off. i flipped it over and it just looked like another connection. so, i disconnected it to look at the terminals, and lo and behold there is a fuse panel and it is hidden betwen 2 plugs. there are about 5 fuses, all 15 amp, and 2 extras were in there already. the 5th one was blown. new fuse, problem fixed. still gonna get the manual though =) thanks for the help

TOOK ME AWHILE TO FIND THOSE HIDDEN FUSES:roflmao:

hey sportsterboy, i was checking out the build on your bike last night. pretty sweet, i must say =)

Glad you got the immediate problem solved !!

But still go get the manual & I'll give you some more reasons why - that bike has different front forks & rear shocks than any other model H-D ever made. They also happen to be the best H-D ever offered, but are very different than any other model. And the bike has a completely different ignition system from other Sportsters. And it's got the W cams now being used again, but only came in the 1200S models '98-'03.

And it's got the "Screamin' Eagle" heads dual-plugged - the Buell Thunderstorm & newer XB heads are better, but the dual-plugged heads ain't all that bad & 1200S models routinely get better gas mileage than even stock 883's because of the dual-plug setup.

Kills me the 1200S model never sold all that well & some dealers didn't even order them. I reckon people figure if you want a great handling, quick & dependable motorcycle you have to buy Japanese 'cause H-D don't make one. But they did & you've got one.

yeah, it handles pretty good. i have had a 1996 yamaha yzf600r and 2005 yamaha R1, but i never really got hooked on the "knee draggin", guess i was too much of a chicken..lol.. i was looking for something sporty and comfortable, and i like it so far, even tho it leaks and has a few other issues. i know that all comes with a harley..for the most part. it has forward controls, you know of anyone who may have the stock stuff laying around? i am about 6ft tall and it feels cramped with the forward ones on it. i am more used to the normal position anyways, since i had the sport bikes. i have taken to putting my legs on the rear pegs on longer trips..lol... thanks!

While leaks are attributed to Harleys, yours should not leak a drop - mine don't. The quality has gotten better over the years & if you've got a fluid leak, that indicates a problem that can be fixed - and without spending a lot. For example, H-D got around to replacing the Sportster's paper rocker-box gaskets with metal ones in 2000 & the new ones do not leak. They'll fit Sportsters going all the way back to 1986 too. Primary & cam cover gaskets should not leak a drop.

Who put foward controls on a 1200S? That makes no sense !! I put 'em on my '95, but I don't push that bike hard & it's just more comfortable for me for the type of riding I normally do (my Chiropractor approves too).

As to finding stock pegs/controls for your bike, here is no doubt the best source - just ask: The Sportster Home Page I've got the stock set for the '95, but I may put them back on & leave the forward pegs for highway pegs. '00 bike still has the stock pegs/controls but I'm thinking rearsets on it - never know what I'll mess with next ;-)}

Rearsets won't fit with the stock rear pipe, but Shane @ Chainsickle makes a great set - can't get the info to pull up now for some reason, but other guys on the Sportster List can give you the contact info 'cause they know him. I've seen his work & it is top quality. Shane charges a lot less than a company like Storz Performance too: STORZ PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES

cool, thanks for the info. i think the front cam cover is leaking by the mount. i will replace it soon. i dont like leaks..lol.. i need to replace the vacuum lines and do a few other things. it is in nice shape, but isnt perfect. i think that will allow me to enjoy it better and keep me from freaking if i get a paint chip or something..lol... i put new grips on it today, and they worked out well. i am going to put new plugs and wires on soon. i pulled the plugs and cleaned them while i had the tank off...(little easier to get to the top ones that way). the engine light keeps coming on sometimes too. i think it is a bad sensor or something.