Tried to ask for advise.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,939
Likes: 8,037
From: poway
I bought my '96 Heritage Classic in the summer of 2015. I had no problems of any kind that year.
I connected a battery tender periodically over the winter to keep the battery up. When I tried to start it the first time in the spring, when I turned the ignition switch on, all was normal with everything lighting up. But when I hit the start button, there was one loud click, and everything instantly shut off. No headlight, or gauge lights, or lights of any kind. I measured the battery across the battery terminals, all seemed good. But the bike was still completely dead with the ignition switch on.
I eventually discovered the negative battery cable wasn't completely tight on the battery terminal. I tightened it up and all was good for that riding season.
The exact same thing happened the next spring on the first start-up attempt.
So now I pop the seat off every spring and check that battery connection. Of course, since the bike knows I'm going to do that now, it hasn't loosened up again since those first two times.
I connected a battery tender periodically over the winter to keep the battery up. When I tried to start it the first time in the spring, when I turned the ignition switch on, all was normal with everything lighting up. But when I hit the start button, there was one loud click, and everything instantly shut off. No headlight, or gauge lights, or lights of any kind. I measured the battery across the battery terminals, all seemed good. But the bike was still completely dead with the ignition switch on.
I eventually discovered the negative battery cable wasn't completely tight on the battery terminal. I tightened it up and all was good for that riding season.
The exact same thing happened the next spring on the first start-up attempt.
So now I pop the seat off every spring and check that battery connection. Of course, since the bike knows I'm going to do that now, it hasn't loosened up again since those first two times.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
I wish this, "go to the new members section and introduce yourself" crap would go away. It's annoying as hell. If a new guy shows up with a question and gets an answer, he might be more likely to stick around if he doesn't get the "new member" section treatment. I've been around a while, I don't go over to that section to say Hi to any of these new guys. We'll get to know you as we go.
What will it take to make this go away?
Carl
What will it take to make this go away?
Carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
I wish this, "go to the new members section and introduce yourself" crap would go away. It's annoying as hell. If a new guy shows up with a question and gets an answer, he might be more likely to stick around if he doesn't get the "new member" section treatment. I've been around a while, I don't go over to that section to say Hi to any of these new guys. We'll get to know you as we go.
What will it take to make this go away?
Carl
What will it take to make this go away?
Carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
my opinions always end up as a felony assault charge - does that count
i guess you dont have jack daniels bottles with your name first and last printed on the front label - i dont believe kool aid powder stuff that counts as jack
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I make it point to welcome New Members ( like you did know that ) ... I remember when others greeted me and thought it was courteous and cool ... Flame on ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,015
Likes: 6,909
From: NC
No Jack bottles. But do have a fancy engraved decanter and glassware that's used during football season. Or card night in my garage. Usually filled with a scotch, brand depends on the participants that night.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
Most of the new members that drop in and ask a question without actually telling us about themselves simply never come back if they get the answer they are looking for. Many forums require a number of posts in the welcome areas before they can post such questions in an applicable forum. Not defending what I said, but I've seen it a ton of times. In addition, they do no homework before asking. That's lazy.
I'm happy to help anyone that puts forth some level of effort to help themselves. I think I've demonstrated that on these forums. The rest of them, eff 'em. I just don't give a sh**.
I'm happy to help anyone that puts forth some level of effort to help themselves. I think I've demonstrated that on these forums. The rest of them, eff 'em. I just don't give a sh**.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
As Strych mentions I too try to help when possible ... I'll also note that after assisting others, many never acknowledge the courtesy extended to them :<(
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,610
Likes: 3,377
From: Cental, MI
Most of the new members that drop in and ask a question without actually telling us about themselves simply never come back if they get the answer they are looking for. Many forums require a number of posts in the welcome areas before they can post such questions in an applicable forum. Not defending what I said, but I've seen it a ton of times. In addition, they do no homework before asking. That's lazy.
I'm happy to help anyone that puts forth some level of effort to help themselves. I think I've demonstrated that on these forums. The rest of them, eff 'em. I just don't give a sh**.
I'm happy to help anyone that puts forth some level of effort to help themselves. I think I've demonstrated that on these forums. The rest of them, eff 'em. I just don't give a sh**.
Around my little part of the Rhubarb Patch, ...People get to Know me, before Demanding technical answers!!! Why would any Forum be Different than Life???
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 2,650
From: Milwaukee, WI
Not going to argue it’s not lazy, but if you google, “electrical problem Harley”, you get YouTube vids first and HD forums links second. YouTube is amazing for tech, buts it’s going to start with a ad, and take 20 mins of vid with probably two more ads and most likely a drawn out vid to hit some algorithm.
And joe Harley wants an answer right now, so they sign up and ask, not knowing there is some invisible protocol. They probably just walked in from a non running bike out in the driveway and are beyond frustrated.
if it’s a fresh post and I can give advice or answers, I do. if it’s already off the rails with multiple welcome posts with no answer or someone bit down and basically yelled they didn’t introduce themselves first, instead of hey check that ground or load test a battery, it truly dosnt matter if it’s Sportster or Electra glide for the basics, some frustrated person just can’t think straight because his bike let him down.
And joe Harley wants an answer right now, so they sign up and ask, not knowing there is some invisible protocol. They probably just walked in from a non running bike out in the driveway and are beyond frustrated.
if it’s a fresh post and I can give advice or answers, I do. if it’s already off the rails with multiple welcome posts with no answer or someone bit down and basically yelled they didn’t introduce themselves first, instead of hey check that ground or load test a battery, it truly dosnt matter if it’s Sportster or Electra glide for the basics, some frustrated person just can’t think straight because his bike let him down.