Changing battery on 2018+ Softail is NOT easy!

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Feb 29, 2024 | 05:14 PM

#21

barneyboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 5,077

Likes: 3,293

From: Plover, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

That's a fair comment. It does though mean that an owner who is nOT an experienced mechanic might be very limited in what he can do on these bikes.

Jim G

I understand your point , your original post bashed HD for not including hold my hand instructions for each individual step. Get over it.

Feb 29, 2024 | 05:53 PM

#22

Biggzed

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Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 5,465

Likes: 625

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

That's a fair comment. It does though mean that an owner who is nOT an experienced mechanic might be very limited in what he can do on these bikes.

Jim G

Exactly how HD wants it. There is no better way to learn than by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. These bikes are not that complicated. There is a lot a novice can learn by just trying.

Zach

Feb 29, 2024 | 06:35 PM

#23

foxtrapper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 6,191

Likes: 2,423

From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

If you pull the main fuse with the off/run switch in the "off position", again, you activate the security system, because any rmeoval of power to the system activates its internal battery and generates an alarm.. So, this is why you need to turn the switch to "run" beforehand.

Perhaps, though the power is still cut, and if that's what triggers the alarm, it's still happening. Didn't notice any alarm indications in the linked video and he didn't pull the main fuse or show any handlebar switch action. May be much ado about nothing.

Yeah, pulling the main fuse is a safety step. But it's kinda half assed compared to disconnecting the negative battery terminal. Personally, I prefer pulling the negative battery terminal because that kills everything, not just some things like pulling the main fuse does.

Feb 29, 2024 | 06:49 PM

#24

DaveyFB

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2022

Posts: 2,893

Likes: 3,072

From: South of Boston, MA

I used to take the seat off & the battery out on my older bikes & bring them inside for the Winter
Not any more
I have a new battery I am installing this Spring, need to run a power lead I think for the new Fog lights
Also have a heated seat I need to hook up

I have a long magnetic screwdriver, that should work

Last edited by DaveyFB; Feb 29, 2024 at 07:08 PM.

Feb 29, 2024 | 06:59 PM

#25

barneyboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 5,077

Likes: 3,293

From: Plover, WI

To further expand on the OP's initial rant. I'll admit I'm not familiar with the OP's service manual. However, the service manuals I'm familiar with don't cover every step in detail when it comes to battery replacement. The procedure refers to different sections in the manual, such as which tabs release the main fuse cover, along with which tabs release the WSS connector. It takes a bit of navigation to put the pieces together, but it's not all on the same page.

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:02 PM

#26

JimGnitecki

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 2,710

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From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by barneyboy

Yes, I knew that going in. I copied individual relevant pages from various sections of the service manual, as called for by the instructions within each process description. I then followed the directions in the order in which they were supposed to be used.

Jim G

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:22 PM

#27

Rufus13

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2023

Posts: 523

Likes: 406

From: So Western Ohio

I was thinking about the instruction to remove the main fuse before changing the battery. When the fuse is pulled it's a clean cut off of power.
After it's out you can fumble around with the battery cables without worry. If the fuse isn't pulled, as you try to reconnect the battery and you are lining up the connector, getting the bolt started, you could be applying power in a stuttering fashion- on/off/on/off as the cable and bolt is installed. These brief interruptions might cause the modules to throw codes or lose their programming. It's easy to pull the fuse, H-D wants it to be pulled, so I always pull it.

Feb 29, 2024 | 10:51 PM

#28

WONKEY

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2022

Posts: 1,514

Likes: 1,823

From: Omaha

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranBunnyFFXII

The hardest part about swapping the battery is lifting the heavy bastard out of there. There's almost no good way to lift a 16lb+lunk of lead out of that cubby without wanting to slap an engineer.
That little pull strap doenst do **** either.

the batteries on the M8 softails come out the side, the first time I took the battery out on my wifes heritage i cussed the engineers, when i had to replace it last fall it was quite easy.