I just bought my new to me '07 Nght train, it only has 11k miles and has a new-ish after market battery. It seems like it has a good charge but will not start the bike after sitting in a comfortable garage in LA for a couple of nights. Changed the plugs, checked for spark, got a new fob battery, etc. Will start with a jumper so I'm thinking it's just not getting enough amperage. Does anyone have advice (possibly on the best battery) or know what the starting amperage should be on this bike?

 

Have the battery load tested to see if it good or not.

 

Other than battery load capacity, it can possibly be a few things:

- Battery needs to be revitalized if it was sitting. A few days on a trickle charger or especially a smart charger could bring it back.

- Parasitic loss - something on the bike is causing battery to drain. Would require an ammeter to test. Can also connect a 1 ohm resistor in series with the battery cable to the battery and measure any voltage. Ohm's Law at your service. Not for everyone.

- Loose battery connections - this is possibly the most likely even if odds are still low. Been bit by this a couple times. Start with the simplest things first.

I would also check the voltage of the batt before and after operating. It should be higher after operating than lower. Bad charging system could be a culprit.

Your manual should say the ratings for the battery cold cranking amps. If you don't have one I think Harley will provide one to you online for that year if you sign your life away to sign up for their web site.

 

 

Thanks for the advice guys. But I think the load test is a little different than reading the starting amperage, would anyone know what that is supposed to be? And is there anything like the "best" battery for a Night Train?

 

Don't buy Chinese. Yuasa or Deka (or any of the private label Dekas) are the best batteries IMO. They are both made in the USA and Deka is the OE battery for your bike. Both of these batteries will be over 300CCA.

Once again, having your battery load tested will let you know if it is good or not. What brand is your new-ish aftermarket battery?

 

Most don't measure the cranking amps, and I doubt that you have an instrument to do that, but its not really important if the jump starts it, as that is a clear indication that the battery is failing.
It might achieve full charge voltage, but if it sulphated it will not be able to deliver the amperage, hence the need for a free load test at AutoZone.
www.batterymart.com has the Big Crank for about $100 delivered.

http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX20L-Battery

http://www.batterymart.com/SEARCH.html?q=65989-97C

 

I think this pretty much sums it up... (as others have mentioned also) I'll take it to AZone to test and then try to get through the rest of this year without buying a new one until spring.

 

When my old battery got to that point I also tried to nurse it for a few months, keeping it on the tender everyday, but it didn't get me to the end of the season.

 

Haha, isn't that the way it goes?