My name is RC. I have 07 Street Bob. Last Year blessed with a little girl so I did not ride as much as I wanted to. I covered the bike for the year. Last week I was in the garage and I tried to start my bike. Well to my surprise it started up with no problem. I let it warm-up, every thing was fine, wiped her down, and called it a night. Today is the best weather we had in Chicago. I got ready to ride. Went to the garage and the bike did not start. No surprise but I smelled something burning. Smoke was coming from my battery box. I took the seat off quick and the batt cover. The red cover to the positive cable melted and some of the battery post! I have no idea what happen. Has any one every experienced this? If so what is the cause? The warranty is good till May of this year. Do you think this would be covered? The bike only has 1900 miles on it. Most of those put on in 07. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

the cable was probably loose,there a large 40 amp fuse in the fuse box that would have blown if theres a short. tighten up the cable and try it again.

 

Thanks, i thought that could have been the problem. I was so excited to go for a ride that i checked some things but not the batt cables.

 

I've been told by one of the mechanics at my dealership that the battery cables work themselves loose with some regularity on most models. Has to do with the expansion/contraction of the connections with heat and electrical charge. I've started keeping the wrench needed to tighten those connections with me when I ride.

 

mine have come loose before too,lights flickering is the first sign.

 

I've heard this happen a couple of times now, from folks on the forum. Check those cables often, and might be a good idea to wrap the exposed section of the angle.

 

All mechanical electrical connections will loosen, loads generate heat, which cools after use, this cycle causes things to come loose in any kind of electrical connection not just battery cables. Routine maintenance should catch all this.
Check your electrical panel in your home sometime...well maybe have someone check it ....

 

Thanks for all the feed back. I tighten every thing up and it started right up. I am mad at myself for not checking it from the beginning. I was so excited about the weather and taking my first ride of the year but I should have done the regular maintenance.