Battery Cable Upgrade
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
On the battery, they're not too much good after about two years, though some seem to last longer. I kind of have a built in weak battery warning system. I installed that speedo/tach combo, and when the battery starts getting weak or low, my speedo will reset to the mileage reading when cranking the bike. I always keep the clock selected, so if it resets to mileage, I start looking at the battery.
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 2, 2015 at 06:16 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 112
From: Florida
Yep, it seems Moco has been skimping on battery cables. Not thick enough to allow 200 amps thru to starter. I'll probably upgrade this winter.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Interested in what Pitbull finds though.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: Sevierville, TN
Pitbull, Glad the Sumax cables helped you. I'm a firm believer in big cables. I know it's off topic but my Lesco 52" walkbehind commercial mower always turned over slow with the 6 guage cables getting too hot. I went to tractor supply and got some 2 guage cables, installed them and wow, it's just like you can nearly look at the starter and she fires right off. Helped my big 77 460 powered Higboy Ford 4x4 too.
Glad it helped you. Hopefully your compensator will hang on for a while. At least you don't have the spring tensioner with the sharp silent chains factor to look forward to, like on pre 07 models like mine. Good Luck to you!
Glad it helped you. Hopefully your compensator will hang on for a while. At least you don't have the spring tensioner with the sharp silent chains factor to look forward to, like on pre 07 models like mine. Good Luck to you!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 596
From: Columbus, OH
Man....you guys got me again, ordered mine earlier this afternoon. Always thought size of battery cables was a frequently overlooked problem, you can have all the power in the world but if you can't deliver it than it's no good. I only carry 000 cable in my service truck at work.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Ok folks it got hot enough today. Rode about 200 again with a bunch of stops. It got hot enough the bike tried to misbehave on hot starts. Those 2g battery cables are great and the stock cables were indeed exacerbating the start problem. With the 2g cables on and I can tell you the starter is really strong now. It's actually helped with the start problem because it has the strength to crank though a lot of the problem, where as the engine would out do the starter before. Now it will either crank through when the engine acts up or hold strong against the engine on a kick back or a lug. Yeah, the heavy cables are a very good investment! 
I'll keep looking for the cause of the hot start problem (the other thread), but I have full faith in the cranking ability of the starter system now. You could say it cranks with authority..
I'll keep looking for the cause of the hot start problem (the other thread), but I have full faith in the cranking ability of the starter system now. You could say it cranks with authority..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 5, 2015 at 04:31 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 12
From: north jersey
That's great to hear man. I'm glad you are that much more ahead on figuring out what the hell the problem is.
Thank you for keeping us informed on what the outcome was.
Thank you for keeping us informed on what the outcome was.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Thought I'd bump this thread since I just linked it in another thread. It's been a number of months since I did the upgrade and I have to say I'm loving the cables. I don't pucker up anymore when I start the bike. As to the start problem, the cables are definetly doing the job. I did change how I start the bike though and it has eliminated 99.99% of the start problem that lead me to the upgrade. When I start he bike cold, I wait until the dash lights go out (cold start has never been a problem). But, when the bike is hot, I don't wait for the lights. As soon as the fuel pump pressures up I hit the start button. I'm not sure why that works, but it does. If I wait too long, well I've got the big battery cables..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Mar 10, 2016 at 04:14 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,839
Likes: 17,865
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
FWIW, I put 2 gauge Sumax cables and a 720 cranking amp Antigravity battery on my old Heritage a few months ago. Works like a charm.
Pressuring up? I kid I kid. I am still riding a carbureted Evo.
Pressuring up? I kid I kid. I am still riding a carbureted Evo.