Basic Battery Question...
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
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From: Maryland
Basic Battery Question...
Hello all! I am a new member (30 minutes or so ago) and have a 'new' 2005 Dyna Low Rider my wife bought me for my retirement. It has been sitting in the garage and the battery has lost enough of its charge that the bike won't start. My son bought me a 'battery tender' that requires installing a 'pigtail' on the battery posts, but for the life of me, I can't get the battery out of the bike for this operation. Any directions on how to accomplish this? Thank you!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
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From:
RE: Basic Battery Question...
Welcome to the Forum. Look on the right side of the bike where the battery is located. Remove the battery civer and you while see under the battery base is a bolt going up. To the rear of that you will see a bolt that holds the base to the frame loosen both bolts to remove the battery. Be sure to disconnect the negative first. I hope this helps you.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
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From: Maryland
RE: Basic Battery Question...
Thank you. I see a bolt under the spot where the key is located (to the rear of the battery box)... is that the one I must remove? Otherwise, I see no other bolts. By the way, I cannot get the chrome cover (top or side) off the battery either. Hmmm...
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
RE: Basic Battery Question...
The second bolt is about 2" below the first one. It secures the battery "platform" that supports the battery. You don't have to remove it--just loosen it enough to let the battery "platform" slide down some. Then you canremove the covers and battery if you want to.
More to the point, however, is you shouldn't need to remove the battery to attach pigtails, I don't think. Just remove the seat and you can access the battery posts from the top.
It took me quite a while to figure out how thebattery is secured on a Dyna. It's different, but once you get used to it, you will like it. No need for a strap to hold the battery secure.
Welcome aboard!!
More to the point, however, is you shouldn't need to remove the battery to attach pigtails, I don't think. Just remove the seat and you can access the battery posts from the top.
It took me quite a while to figure out how thebattery is secured on a Dyna. It's different, but once you get used to it, you will like it. No need for a strap to hold the battery secure.
Welcome aboard!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: Basic Battery Question...
My battery tender came with a set of clamps.
I clamp the red one to the lug coming out of the top off of the starter the + side, and the black i attatch to one of the bolts on the trans side cover.
Leave it on while it charges, and unclamp it when Im done!
I clamp the red one to the lug coming out of the top off of the starter the + side, and the black i attatch to one of the bolts on the trans side cover.
Leave it on while it charges, and unclamp it when Im done!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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RE: Basic Battery Question...
I had the same thing happen to me just recently. I have a 2004 low rider.. I took the seat off and then tried starting the bike .. low and behold the battery was arching at the start up! It turned out the battery cables were loose! So for me to get the battery out... this is what I did ...
there is a screw right by the ignition switch that will lower the housing the battery is in... it's a pretty long screw!
there is another screw about 45 degrees below right of the long bolt .... you can take that one all the way out!
the first bolt we talked about is long .. so keep cranking out and you will see the battery tray start to lower.. you can assist this with your hands ... the top crome cover should come off easy now since the battery housing is being lowered.
disconnect the negative terminal.
In my case ... the terminals were loose ... bad design .. no lock washers .. tightened them up and it started fine!
hope you get it going!
there is a screw right by the ignition switch that will lower the housing the battery is in... it's a pretty long screw!
there is another screw about 45 degrees below right of the long bolt .... you can take that one all the way out!
the first bolt we talked about is long .. so keep cranking out and you will see the battery tray start to lower.. you can assist this with your hands ... the top crome cover should come off easy now since the battery housing is being lowered.
disconnect the negative terminal.
In my case ... the terminals were loose ... bad design .. no lock washers .. tightened them up and it started fine!
hope you get it going!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
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From: Maryland
RE: Basic Battery Question...
Thank you for the welcome!
By the way... I just went to the garage and looked at the bike... I only see one bolt on the left side of the battery, just under where the key goes. I tried to connect the 'clips' to the posts, but there is not much room to work with. My positive (+red) post has a rubber cover over it, making it difficult to connect the 'clip' to it. To place the 'pigtail' permanently on the battery, I need to lower the battery and have the posts accesible, or no go.
This is becoming a difficult project. Reminds me of trying to install the "siren" for the alarm system. I just couldn't do it... to little room to work with. HAD to take it to the dealer, and it took them about four hours to install the siren!
The positve part about all this? Beats being in 'the sandbox' again!
By the way... I just went to the garage and looked at the bike... I only see one bolt on the left side of the battery, just under where the key goes. I tried to connect the 'clips' to the posts, but there is not much room to work with. My positive (+red) post has a rubber cover over it, making it difficult to connect the 'clip' to it. To place the 'pigtail' permanently on the battery, I need to lower the battery and have the posts accesible, or no go.
This is becoming a difficult project. Reminds me of trying to install the "siren" for the alarm system. I just couldn't do it... to little room to work with. HAD to take it to the dealer, and it took them about four hours to install the siren!
The positve part about all this? Beats being in 'the sandbox' again!
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
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From: Maryland
RE: Basic Battery Question...
kewl (as my boy would say). Taht's the kind of direction I needed. Thank you !
(By the way, it was 72 degrees out today, and we expect it to be back in the 40's by tomorrow afternoon. Figures... by time I get the bike running again, winter will be back!)
(By the way, it was 72 degrees out today, and we expect it to be back in the 40's by tomorrow afternoon. Figures... by time I get the bike running again, winter will be back!)
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RE: Basic Battery Question...
Don't be dissapointed if, when you do get the battery tender hooked up it doesn't charge the battery. Theyput out very low amperage, only enough to keep a charge on the battery. You'll need a charger if the battery is dead.
And like daddiokool said, make sure all your connections are tight. I had the same thing happen to me.
And like daddiokool said, make sure all your connections are tight. I had the same thing happen to me.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 230
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From:
RE: Basic Battery Question...
I have a 2000 Low rider. Since it is so difficult to get to the battery, I installed the pigtails and tuck the wires back up by the ignition switch when riding and when I need to hook it up....no hassels.