Battery issues/electrical?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 206
Likes: 12
From: California
Battery issues/electrical?
I have see there is a recent post on a dead battery and i see im in the same boat. I have had my 17 sb for 2 years and 2 months and i believe the battery is dead. I installed the great bike gear relocation kit for the license plate and tail lights w led lighting a couple months after purchase. Recently, 2 months ago i ran out of gas. So i left the hazards on. I went to get gas and when i came back my bike was dead! I didnt know the hazards would kill the battery in that time, about 25 min or less. I had to fet it jumped by a tow trucking service for about 40 buck.
now about 5 days ago i noticed that red light come on nect to the needle on the speedo. It was on for a few second and dissapeared. Ehile almost to work it cam on again for about 8 mins and went off. So i had a feeling it was the battery.
so last night i get off work at 11:15. Im cold and tired. I go to start my bike and it start to turn over and it loses its juice. My woman was working to so i was able to call her b4 she left town. But i had no philips screwdriver to open the cover to try and jump it and i had to get home to my baby cause my mother in law had work in the am as well. So the bikes sitting at my work.
Ive never had my bike on a battery tender. My question is, is 2 years to short for the battery to already be done? I hope not, i have christmas gifts to get. Also i ride on a regular so my bike is never sitting to long, its my daily commute. Ive also noticed sometimes on start up a vin code would appear but go away b4 i could even get a full read of it. Also 2 days ago while the clutch was pulled in i noticed the tach would read i was in gear. It would read 3rd or 4th gear. Strange.
any suggestions? I have no idea how or where to go for a battery. But i do know im not interested into going to the dealership.
now about 5 days ago i noticed that red light come on nect to the needle on the speedo. It was on for a few second and dissapeared. Ehile almost to work it cam on again for about 8 mins and went off. So i had a feeling it was the battery.
so last night i get off work at 11:15. Im cold and tired. I go to start my bike and it start to turn over and it loses its juice. My woman was working to so i was able to call her b4 she left town. But i had no philips screwdriver to open the cover to try and jump it and i had to get home to my baby cause my mother in law had work in the am as well. So the bikes sitting at my work.
Ive never had my bike on a battery tender. My question is, is 2 years to short for the battery to already be done? I hope not, i have christmas gifts to get. Also i ride on a regular so my bike is never sitting to long, its my daily commute. Ive also noticed sometimes on start up a vin code would appear but go away b4 i could even get a full read of it. Also 2 days ago while the clutch was pulled in i noticed the tach would read i was in gear. It would read 3rd or 4th gear. Strange.
any suggestions? I have no idea how or where to go for a battery. But i do know im not interested into going to the dealership.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
Is it possible you have not driven the bike long enough for the battery to recharge since you drained it? Even if that was the case I would replace, why chance it. My 2014 Silverado i bought new, I got 1 year out of the battery and I had to replace. I believe 5 years is a good life span for a motorcycle battery, but like my truck not always the case!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 206
Likes: 12
From: California
Is it possible you have not driven the bike long enough for the battery to recharge since you drained it? Even if that was the case I would replace, why chance it. My 2014 Silverado i bought new, I got 1 year out of the battery and I had to replace. I believe 5 years is a good life span for a motorcycle battery, but like my truck not always the case!
But i have noticed on the colder nights after work it is a little slower at start up but would run w no issues.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 760
Likes: 368
From: Winnipeg
Dude- your bike is giving you multiple warnings. Check with a voltmeter what your charging rate is - should be around 13-15 volts. If thats ok - suspect the batt is bad. Take it out and get it tested to make sure- or just buy a new one. If its your commuter- piece of mind is a must.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 1,225
From: New Hampsha
What he said. Check the charging system first, then the battery. Fifteen minutes is not long enough to recharge a dead battery. Depending on how much surplus output your alternator can muster, it could take several hours. And, proofread your posts. Don't make us work to give you free information.
Last edited by John CC; Dec 18, 2019 at 01:09 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 206
Likes: 12
From: California
Dude- your bike is giving you multiple warnings. Check with a voltmeter what your charging rate is - should be around 13-15 volts. If thats ok - suspect the batt is bad. Take it out and get it tested to make sure- or just buy a new one. If its your commuter- piece of mind is a must.
im going to go jump it and ride it 30 mins back home and pull out the battery. I heard auto zone will test it for free.?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 2,117
From: W. MI.
Maybe I missed it, but how old is the battery? Have you checked the easy stuff? Cables both ends to make sure they are tight and clean. Sounds to me like the battery is questionable after what you described. How did you jump it? I think you said a tow truck. Was the truck running? Wrong way to jump a motorcycle. Got a shop manual? That would tell you how to figure this stuff out. Volt meter, yes.
Last edited by Bass Player; Dec 18, 2019 at 01:34 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Doghouse... mostly
A voltmeter. I just looked it up. Law abiding biker youtube chanel just did a volt testing on a lowrider s and explained it. I will have to get one and test it.
im going to go jump it and ride it 30 mins back home and pull out the battery. I heard auto zone will test it for free.?
im going to go jump it and ride it 30 mins back home and pull out the battery. I heard auto zone will test it for free.?
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 206
Likes: 12
From: California
The tow truck had a jumper so it wasnt directly from its battery. Ok noted, an hour at least after a jump. I went to jump the bike w my jumper. The clamps were to big but got it to finally stay on. The bike would not start. Came back home another 30 mins w no bike to and back. Went to my local auto zone and they tested it. The battery is dead. So i need a new one. They have one there thats 90 something. They say its better and will last longer. I forgot the name of the brand. But i have a dinner to go to so everything will have to wait. Ill call them and ask the brand name.
Has anyone here purchased a battery from auto zone for their dyna?
Has anyone here purchased a battery from auto zone for their dyna?
Last edited by Gil Aguilar; Dec 18, 2019 at 06:11 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 1,225
From: New Hampsha
Even a brand new battery will test bad if it is dead. You have to fully charge it before you can test it.
There is a good chance the battery is your problem, but until you charge it and test the charging system you can't be sure. If you have more money than patience, go ahead and buy a new one. Just don't be surprised if it goes dead, too.
There is a good chance the battery is your problem, but until you charge it and test the charging system you can't be sure. If you have more money than patience, go ahead and buy a new one. Just don't be surprised if it goes dead, too.