I didn't know this thread existed, been posting in the Dyna threads. Just want to say hi, my name's Wampa and I recently inherited a '80 Low Rider. I'm guessing this is a more appropriate place to post.

Catching up, started it once since taking possession of it in April. Went to start it again a week or so again, sparks shot out the "passenger side". Found the connector for the starter relay melted, tracing wires around found the neg cable melted at the terminal and then noticed that a battery tender wire that my dad had snaked around under the seat was showing bare metal. I'm just assuming that the battery tender wire shorted out the other things and removing it, replacing starter relay and it's connector and the battery cable and hoping that that solves it. Does that sound right?

I forgot to add that I know next to nothing about bikes, I'm 40 and just passed the MSF course last week. So don't get all technical on me please, lol.

 

theHD shop manual andthis website will be your best friends.
I wold replace all those cables and wires as you were saying... you probably got a cable pinched and caused a short

PS. Star Wars related nickname?

 

I have the Clymer manual on the way as I type. And yes, Empire Strikes Back, lol. Glad to see some geek love, lol.

 

geek is kind of an understatement....
anyway... get the HD manual if you can... HD manual and parts manual, essential

 

I have the parts manual on the puter, wiring diagram. Haven't got the HD manual yet. Doesn't help that my father rewired damn near everything in black wire, lol.

 

a new harness is around 100 bucks -- take the wire diagram and go to staples have them blow it up to 2 feet by 3 feet and buy a colored pencil set and trace the complete harness in its correct colors

by doing so you will see what every thing does and what wires do what like orange is a ignition on hot wire kind of thing

then take your time and replace every wire ion the bike

having said that in some cases having sparks coming out the side of a scooter can actual get you layed in certain circumstances

 

LOL
Obviously you had that spark plugs in the exhaust pipes trick in the Day!!!!

 

nah i just showed them my anaconda

 

Buy the H-D Service manual. Use the Clymers to soak up the oil as it drips. 1980 LR everything should be pretty straight forward and visible. Wire with a new harness or at least the right color and Ga. wires, it's worth it. Change all the fluids, plugs, drain and clean the tank. Enjoy the project and the results.

 

A Shame Colt quit Makin them!!!!! Never did try to use it to get Chicks...Not my style!!!!