How do you install a cigarette lighter on a 2005 harley Davidson road king?

Answer 1

I've installed many lighters on Harleys and my favorite spot for one on a Road King is against the large diagonal frame plate just behind the rear cylinder. It's close to the fuse panel and when mounted the lighter isn't very noticeable. I mount it toward the left side so it's easily accessible while riding.

There are already holes in that frame plate to run the wire(s) or you can drill your own for exact placement.

Aftermarket catalogs sell an inexpensive little teardrop-shaped chromed ignition switch bracket that has a large hole in one end and a small hole in the other (CCI part #15103, Biker's Choice part #49-2790). Many bike shops carry them as well. The large hole is a perfect fit for a standard car lighter and the small hole of course is for a mounting bolt. You can bend the bracket if need be.

You can run a separate ground wire if you want but it's not necessary if the bracket is securely bolted to the frame. All you need to do is run the positive wire (that goes to the center terminal on the lighter receptacle) to an accessory fuse and you're in business.

If you want the lighter to have power even when the ignition's off, use a probe-type test light to find a fuse that's always hot. I recommend against connecting any accessories directly to the battery for several reasons. Firstly, stacking up connectors on a battery terminal can cause a weak connection to the starter, plus it makes removing and installing the battery difficult when working in that confined area. You stand a good chance of dropping a screw into the battery box or having a wire fall unnoticed behind the battery. Also the more wires you have coming from the positive terminal the more chance there is for a short circuit. A shorted unfused wire will glow red hot until it melts in two, possibly sending your bike up in flames.