**Did some searching couldnt find anything, forums/tube vids= notta.

Hello, New to HD forums, familiar with sport-bikes, new to HD. Purchased a 2000 Sportster 1200 this past saturday. Battery was dead so used a small jumper, rode it home no problems. Before i parked it, lights were working and starter clicked.

Purchased new battery, installed and changed ground wire to right/rear motor mount like "HD suggests". Turned key, no lights on bike, and wont start. Located bad wire on far-side of starter (small 16g wire that goes into wiring harness) and fixed it. Volt meter is reading 12.8 across, fuses are good.

Not sure where to go from here before taking it 15 miles to nearest HD, when i feel like it's something small that i have obviously screwed up but cant locate.

**there is a triangle plug with 3 wires, black-yellow-red, that was not hooked up. Not quite sure what it goes to. Thanks in advance for looking/helping this newbie who is close to being out of brews and stumped.

 

When there is nothing, it is usually a ground issue. Recheck both your ground cable at battery and frame and your positive cable. When you say HD suggests, are you referring to the manual or someone at the dealership. Manual says connect ground cable to the "crankcase" not motor mount. Did you remove the old negative from the motor mount?

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. If you are keen to service your bike in the long term get yourself the factory service manual. It will answer many of the queries you will have when problem solving, also help you to check if something on your bike is actually correct, such as where that ground wire goes. Look out for an indy rather than a dealer, as they should be a lot cheaper if you need some work done.

 

Welcome from NC.

You could take the ground wire and attach it back to the spot where the old one was disconnected.

 

You are sure it is not the main fuse,behind side cover?

 

Welcome aboard Kaddi!! I would check that main fuse again with your voltmeter and remove it and reinstall it incase its cockeyed. Did your bike come with alarm fobs? If you disconnect a battery on a bike with the alarm, it is best to leave ignition in run position. Have you turned kill switch on and off a few times on right handlebar incase theres any corrosion forming on the contacts on that switch?
Hope it doesnt take long for you to figure it out, good luck. Dave 04 XL1200C

 

Purchased new battery, installed and changed ground wire to right/rear motor mount like

can you be on the isolated side of the mount, put it back to where you found it and retest

 

Here's the start circuit for a 2001 Sportster ... maybe it will give you an idea where to look