I was riding my 2005 RK custom yesterday. I came to light and stop for the red. Shortly after that the bike stop running. I tried to restarted for about 5 min with no luck. After scratching my head for a few minutes I tried it again. It cranked normal and started. I rode the bike 40 ft to a gas station for a fill up. After the gas fill up the bike did not restart. The head light was really dim at this time. When I checked the terminals the bolts were loose. I could move the cables and bolts with my fingers. My question is could loose terminal bolts cause a battery to go dead? I tried to recharge the battery and it wont hold a change anymore. The battery is 3 To 4 months old. This a interstate battery.

 

Yes loose bolts can kill a battery (or regulator, or stator). Also charging at too high a rate can cook one.

 

I have to get a new battery before I can even check the other two things you mentioned.

 

Check your voltage regulator to when you get a new battery. When if you use a battery tender/charger and just use bike for fairly short rides you can have a bad voltage regulator and not realize it. It happen to me once.

 

IMO, just buy a HD battery. Did you have Interstate check it for you? Battery bolts need to be TIGHT. You may have some other problems. If you don't have a HD Service manual you can do a search on this site for some help. Good luck. Also I have a trickle charger that I us on my bike "ALL" the time. It will give your battery a much longer life.

 

Maybe a loose bolt cause that the battery can´t charge in a proper way. Many little cycles, can destroy a battery. Buy a good battery, check your regulator, and the charge system in the bike. And put Tight your new battery.

 

You guys think it would be ok to put some lock tite on the new battery bolts?

 

My 2007 RK Custom would loosen up the battery bolts once in a while. Same symptoms, stall at a light and start right away again. I would check the bolts at every wash. Moral of the story is to check often. Never had this on any of my other HDs.

 

Use some lock washers not lock tite.

 

If you do, use the blue not the red.