Motorcycle Repair: Sportster Engine Light, scanalyzer, touring bikes

Question
Hi Roy, I have a 2004 Sportster 1200C. Recently I have noticed while riding the check engine light will come on intermittenly. Light comes on at idle and at speed in different gears but only stays on for 20-30 seconds at a time. There is no noticeable difference in how the bike runs when the light comes on. What could cause this? Also, the bike wasn't dealer serviced at 5,000 miles (currently 5,900) could this be causing the light to come on? Is there a way to display trouble codes without taking it to a dealer and spending tons of money?

Answer
Sounds like you have a problem in the light circuit itself.  Unfortunately it's linked to a lot of things.  Have you recently worked on or removed/replaced anything on the bike?  If so, you may have a pinched or chafed wire.  On the '04 only the touring bikes have the self-diagnostic function built into the odometer.  And you need a service manual to interpret the codes anyway.  Your bike needs to be put on a Scanalyzer to see if there are any codes.  Remember, if you have a code in the history of the ECU, the engine light will come on after the bike is running and remain on for 8 seconds every time you start the bike.  Check your battery cable connections and the ground connection on the tranny case beneath the battery.  Let me think about possible places to check and I will get back to you.  It has nothing to do with a 5,000 service.  There are no mileage triggers in the system.