Brought the universal handlebar switches for my 1996 1200 sportster how do you match the stock wires to the universal wires

 

depends on what universal handlebar switches you got. can you post a pic or link to them? did they come with a wiring diagram? i'm assuming the plugs are different and you're going to have to re-do the plugs to get them to connect to your stock wires. luckily it's pretty easy. what year is your sportster?

stock handlebars (at least 93-09) use "deutsch" connector plugs. female and male deutsch plugs can be dissassembled for re-use, here's a handy video to show you how this works: i'm guessing your universal switches don't have the right plugs. you can either buy some new 6-pin deutsch connectors (assuming yours is 93-09, not sure about the newer models) and wire them to your universal switch, or you can dissassemble the deutsch plugs from your old handlebar controls if ya have em, but you'll still need to get some new crimp terminal ends for the deutsch plugs.

hope this helps. i can't get any more specific without knowing what aftermarket switches you got, or what year your sportster is. you can add your sportster year to your user profile or signature so it automatically shows up on posts.

 

Are you trying to find out how to connect the wires, or how to find out which wire goes where?

A vague question will only yield guesses, give us some details.