Battery Cable Upgrade
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
I installed the Sumax 2 guage cables, a new chrome 1.8kw high torque starter from DB Electrical and a new 310cca agm Duralast Autozone battery all at the same time on my 03 Heritage.
It has did really well ever since. The Sumax cables are really nice and did fit well without a hitch. $50 and the shipping is a pretty good buck to pay for battery cables but it is nice to be able to bolt them on without any problems and know that your battery connections are nice and fresh, not corroded and won't heat up at start up from being to small.
You might save some money elsewhere but, these are heavy duty cables that are made to fit and they do just that. I don't have any regrets.
It has did really well ever since. The Sumax cables are really nice and did fit well without a hitch. $50 and the shipping is a pretty good buck to pay for battery cables but it is nice to be able to bolt them on without any problems and know that your battery connections are nice and fresh, not corroded and won't heat up at start up from being to small.
You might save some money elsewhere but, these are heavy duty cables that are made to fit and they do just that. I don't have any regrets.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Well, I ordered the Sumax today and they've already shipped via priority mail. I should have them in a few days. I'll let you know how it turns out.
By the way. How does one diagnose a failing compensator? The dealer mentioned it as a possibility yesterday, but I'm not going to start changing parts and hoping. I found a YouTube video of a guy with a bad one that knocked when the engine was running. On my bike though, the primary is quiet when running, hot or cold. Any other way to check it?
By the way. How does one diagnose a failing compensator? The dealer mentioned it as a possibility yesterday, but I'm not going to start changing parts and hoping. I found a YouTube video of a guy with a bad one that knocked when the engine was running. On my bike though, the primary is quiet when running, hot or cold. Any other way to check it?
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Sep 29, 2015 at 12:46 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Well, I ordered the Sumax today and they've already shipped via priority mail. I should have them in a few days. I'll let you know how it turns out.
By the way. How does one diagnose a failing compensator? The dealer mentioned it as a possibility yesterday, but I'm not going to start changing parts and hoping. I found a YouTube video of a guy with a bad one that knocked when the engine was running. On my bike though, the primary is quiet when running, hot or cold. Any other way to check it?
By the way. How does one diagnose a failing compensator? The dealer mentioned it as a possibility yesterday, but I'm not going to start changing parts and hoping. I found a YouTube video of a guy with a bad one that knocked when the engine was running. On my bike though, the primary is quiet when running, hot or cold. Any other way to check it?
Start with this one.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...mpensater.html
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Noise in the forward primary, a lot of threads on failing compensators.
Start with this one.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...mpensater.html
Start with this one.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...mpensater.html
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: Sevierville, TN
PitBul, What I installed was the Sumax 22007 2 guage with one 10" and one 12" cable. It says '89 to present for Softail. I'd have to pull my seat off to measure the diameter, and I'm planning to hit the hay in a little bit but, I didn't have any trouble at all mounting these to my scoot. Of course mine is a carbureted 2003. If their is any under the seat difference on yours, I wouldn't know.
If I were guessing, I'd say they probably measure about 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter.
If you have doubts, I wouldn't hesitate to call or email Sumax. I'd be surprised if you run into any trouble.
If I were guessing, I'd say they probably measure about 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter.
If you have doubts, I wouldn't hesitate to call or email Sumax. I'd be surprised if you run into any trouble.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
PitBul, What I installed was the Sumax 22007 2 guage with one 10" and one 12" cable. It says '89 to present for Softail. I'd have to pull my seat off to measure the diameter, and I'm planning to hit the hay in a little bit but, I didn't have any trouble at all mounting these to my scoot. Of course mine is a carbureted 2003. If their is any under the seat difference on yours, I wouldn't know.
If I were guessing, I'd say they probably measure about 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter.
If you have doubts, I wouldn't hesitate to call or email Sumax. I'd be surprised if you run into any trouble.
If I were guessing, I'd say they probably measure about 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter.
If you have doubts, I wouldn't hesitate to call or email Sumax. I'd be surprised if you run into any trouble.
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Sep 29, 2015 at 06:35 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Primary question - are you getting a random kickback when starting once in a while? Mine is starting to go. I had it off recently to replace my stator, which went belly up (50k). Neither replacing the stator or the compensator are a big deal if you are a medium skill mechanic. Much easier than the cam chest for example. Hardest part is the torque spec for mine was about 150 # if my memory is working. No big deal, longer pipe over my t wrench. Trick for stator, do a search, DO grind the little tab off instead of pulling the inner primary. It's a non functional little piece of casting...saves HUGE dollars and EFFORT!
I think they do the job well, when they work right...I DO NOT LIKE the idea on the updated one about gluing a piece of plastic to metal thats been bathed in oil for 7 years...what happens if the glue fails and the plastic piece gets caught up in the primary chain or something similar...
I think they do the job well, when they work right...I DO NOT LIKE the idea on the updated one about gluing a piece of plastic to metal thats been bathed in oil for 7 years...what happens if the glue fails and the plastic piece gets caught up in the primary chain or something similar...
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Yes, I do get the random kick back. Its more of a lug on a compression stroke though, and thats usually when it it loses it mind and belches through the carb and occasionally cause the starter to grind. I have looked into the procedure and I don't like the glue and splash guard either.
The thing is, except for the normal whurr of the chain, my primary is quite. No knocking, clunking or the like..
The thing is, except for the normal whurr of the chain, my primary is quite. No knocking, clunking or the like..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Jul 29, 2017 at 12:28 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Just an FYI. I was looking at my manual on the starter trying to find out what size the positive cable mounting stud hex nut was on the starter. The one underneath the cable lug, not the hold down nut. And I got to looking at the starter spec's. Whether you want to believe it or not, it says max starter current draw is 200 amps! That's way higher than I would have ever expected. Those big Sumax cables are rated at 180 amp, so the dinky little 6g OEM cables have to be much lower. It also makes me wonder what the cold crank amp rating is on the OEM battery.
Edit: Found the battery info. The OEM battery is rated at 315 cold cranking amps..
Oh, the manual said nothing about the hex nut size, so if anyone happens to know the size, please post it..
Edit: Found the battery info. The OEM battery is rated at 315 cold cranking amps..
Oh, the manual said nothing about the hex nut size, so if anyone happens to know the size, please post it..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 1, 2015 at 09:48 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Yes, I do get the random kick back. Its more of a lug on a compression stroke though, and thats usually when it it loses it mind and belches through the carb and occasionally cause the starter to grind. I have looked into the procedure and I don't like the glue and splash guard either.
The thing is, except for the normal whurr of the chain, my primary is quite. No knocking, clunking or the like..
The thing is, except for the normal whurr of the chain, my primary is quite. No knocking, clunking or the like..
Now to decide on which new and improved (I hope...) unit to buy...oem, baker, ???? I'll do more research before I pull the trigger on it.
ps I'm going to update my battery cables also this winter. Eight year old stock ones...
Last edited by Rodzilla6; Oct 1, 2015 at 07:39 AM.