Hi,

I just bought a 2001 Harley Sportster 883 and I am having problems of the grave nature and it makes me sad. I rode it the first day I got it and the pick up was very low. But I figured it was because the bike was garaged for almost two years. Its got only 6500 miles on it.
Next day, I try starting it and it just clicks and doest turn on. I read that it might be because of low battery. So I got a charger and removed the battery and charged it. I installed the battery back on to the bike. Connected the red line and a tiny wire with a red tab on it to the screw on the + terminal of the battery. I then installed the -ve terminal of the battery to the big black cable and a thinner black cable on to it. Then I tried starting it: I turned the key and everything came on, lights speedo, etc. Then I pressed the starter and everything went dark. I turned the key off and turned it back on but only the speedo light comes on. Please help me fix the problem.

Thanks,
Danny

 

Check your battery connections for corrosion. Did you clean them before reconnecting? I guess this is a very common problem

 

Sounds like you need a new battery, especially if that one was never on a tender. It doesn't take much to operate lights, etc., but the starter draws a heck of a lot of current by comparison. You may be able to fully charge a dead battery, but you will never fix a bad battery. It may start in your garage, but as Murphy's Law goes, it will leave you stranded somewhere.

 

I would say the battery is bad...take it out and have it tested at the local battery/parts store

 

Dead battery?
Did you have the battery tested?
An Advance Auto parts or O'reilly should have a replacement available.
Advance auto parts has online coupons that if you pre-order online and pick-up in the store can save you $30 easily..bring old battery in for core charge.
Welcome to the forum.

 

Replace the battery....things get very "weird" when the battery's going bad...if that's the worst of your problems, be happy....

 

You need a new HD battery, not any of the cheap replacements out there. Trust me, it's money well spent. Get a battery Tender and plug it in when the bike is not in use, it will prolong the battery life. I'll say it again, like the others ... clean your battery cable connections.