Need new battery. Lithium?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,535
Likes: 34,723
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
Did your Sportster have a generator or alternator? I seriously doubt you had an Ironhead.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 316
From: Marineland Florida
I have had a NOCO in my 2020 Fatty for a while now - great battery and it does not need to be trickle-charged, is a lot lighter (if one cares) and my bike starts right up each time - highly recommended. They do recommend that it gets charged every 6 months ago but when I do that it only takes about a minute on the charger.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,535
Likes: 34,723
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
I have had a NOCO in my 2020 Fatty for a while now - great battery and it does not need to be trickle-charged, is a lot lighter (if one cares) and my bike starts right up each time - highly recommended. They do recommend that it gets charged every 6 months ago but when I do that it only takes about a minute on the charger.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 3,855
From: Florida
Seems many of us who enjoy our lithium batteries are volunteering to endorse their use and completely missing the OP has a Genny.
Thanks Tommy for pointing that out. I indeed was giving very poor advice not realizing…
Thanks Tommy for pointing that out. I indeed was giving very poor advice not realizing…
Last edited by Rains2much; Mar 12, 2024 at 10:31 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 316
From: Marineland Florida
Sorry for not being a motorcycle mechanic of older models since I had no clue that the OP's bike had a generator, nor did he say that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,537
Likes: 30,864
From: Pennsylvania
73 Sportster has a generator system. Do not think a generator system will work with a lithium battery - I may be wrong through, someone with more knowledge will chime in I am sure.
Read about lithum batteries here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ring-bike.html
and here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2014-...-any-good.html
Read about lithum batteries here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ring-bike.html
and here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2014-...-any-good.html
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 316
From: Marineland Florida
Even so, I had/have no clue whether having a generator matters when it comes to lithium batteries. At the very least I am sure this thread will help some.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,535
Likes: 34,723
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
Generators don't charge well at idle, Bob. It's not unusual to see the generator light flickering at idle on a generator equipped bike. Lithium batteries don't like the wide voltage fluctuations from these charging systems. A lead acid or sealed lead acid battery can deal with a generator charging system much better.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 316
From: Marineland Florida
Generators don't charge well at idle, Bob. It's not unusual to see the generator light flickering at idle on a generator equipped bike. Lithium batteries don't like the wide voltage fluctuations from these charging systems. A lead acid or sealed lead acid battery can deal with a generator charging system much better.
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