Softail troubles
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 89
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RE: Softail troubles
only one that i have heard of was the battery cable grounding against the frame and ultimately sending current through the steel braided oil lines from the oil tank and smoking the braiding.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 770
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From: East NM
RE: Softail troubles
The oil tank is on rubber mounts, so it is insulated from the frame.
If the battery is not properly installed or the + cable insulation is damaged, it can short to the oil tank. If this happens on a bike equipped with braided oil lines, they carry the full battery current to the grounded engine case. The battery is big enough to cause the braided lines to heat up to the point that the internal rubber part melts, dumping oil onto the braiding, which is hot enough to ignite the oil.
If the battery shorts to the oil tank on a bike with rubber oil lines, you might not notice it until you drop a wrench or something and it welds itself between the tank and frame.
If the battery is not properly installed or the + cable insulation is damaged, it can short to the oil tank. If this happens on a bike equipped with braided oil lines, they carry the full battery current to the grounded engine case. The battery is big enough to cause the braided lines to heat up to the point that the internal rubber part melts, dumping oil onto the braiding, which is hot enough to ignite the oil.
If the battery shorts to the oil tank on a bike with rubber oil lines, you might not notice it until you drop a wrench or something and it welds itself between the tank and frame.
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
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From:
RE: Softail troubles
XLR841-
I am one of the unfortunate ones that had the battery short out on the frame/ oil tank. The critical issue is to ensure that the plastic sheath protects the positive battery terminal wiring. I believe that my bike was shipped from the factory with the plastic installed too low thus allowing the frame to rub a hole in the wiring and causing the short which leads to excessive current running through the braided oil lines. I was riding my bike when the first oil line 'burned'.
Have the dealer inspect the battery wiring with youbefore you purchase the bike. If you have a battery tender or any other add-ons installed re-check the wiring. After reading about this problem on the internet, I was shocked that my dealer had "Never heard of this happening". MOCO did not seem especially helpful until I put together an 'engineering style' memo with pictures, timelines and analysis. The dealer purchased a new bike for me from another dealer and probably fixed the bike and sold as used.
Good luck.
I am one of the unfortunate ones that had the battery short out on the frame/ oil tank. The critical issue is to ensure that the plastic sheath protects the positive battery terminal wiring. I believe that my bike was shipped from the factory with the plastic installed too low thus allowing the frame to rub a hole in the wiring and causing the short which leads to excessive current running through the braided oil lines. I was riding my bike when the first oil line 'burned'.
Have the dealer inspect the battery wiring with youbefore you purchase the bike. If you have a battery tender or any other add-ons installed re-check the wiring. After reading about this problem on the internet, I was shocked that my dealer had "Never heard of this happening". MOCO did not seem especially helpful until I put together an 'engineering style' memo with pictures, timelines and analysis. The dealer purchased a new bike for me from another dealer and probably fixed the bike and sold as used.
Good luck.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Softail troubles
Oldtimer of NM is right, and its easy to prevent. All you needc to do is wedgea pieceofplastic insulationbetween thepositive terminal/wire and the top tank edge.
That will hold the battery terminal in placeand prevent the weld (its a little rough) on the top insideedge of the tank from abradingits way throughthe wire insulation and shorting out.
Do a search of the forums and you'll find that its been covered extensivly before at least twice that I know of recently.
And tell the Mrs,. we said to have fun, and post some pics of her and it when she gets it.
Ride Safe. [sm=biker2.gif]
That will hold the battery terminal in placeand prevent the weld (its a little rough) on the top insideedge of the tank from abradingits way throughthe wire insulation and shorting out.
Do a search of the forums and you'll find that its been covered extensivly before at least twice that I know of recently.
And tell the Mrs,. we said to have fun, and post some pics of her and it when she gets it.
Ride Safe. [sm=biker2.gif]
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