Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Deuce died

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 01:41 AM
  #1  
apendltn's Avatar
apendltn
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default Deuce died

I have just replaced spark plugs bc they were fouled out. Yesterday rode ab 60 miles then got off an ate, after that bike wouldn't start but I had lights on. Finally started up and made it ab a mile down the road and then it totally died, no lights or anything. Ended up having it towed home after spending ab an hour on the highway trying to fix it. Once I was in home I opened up the battery and it was bone dry (NAPA battery that was in it when I bought it). Could the battery have been the main culprit or do I have another big problem? Please help.
Bike is an 03 Deuce with ab 8500 miles on it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 07:16 AM
  #2  
cwsharp's Avatar
cwsharp
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Default

Best bet is a new battery. Borrow a known good one and see if that doesn't fix the problem.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 10:06 AM
  #3  
Wide_Open's Avatar
Wide_Open
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
Default

Agree with above, battery is the place to start.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 10:10 AM
  #4  
Mark_H's Avatar
Mark_H
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 4
From: Utah
Default

A little more details would be useful. When you say it wouldn't start at first, what was it doing? Deadkey? Slow crank? Normal crank speed?
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:35 AM
  #5  
RSymonds's Avatar
RSymonds
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Default

does a dry battery possibly mean an overcharging problem?
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 12:38 PM
  #6  
Mark_H's Avatar
Mark_H
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 4
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by RSymonds
does a dry battery possibly mean an overcharging problem?
Or lack of maintenance, or a cracked battery.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2012 | 06:13 PM
  #7  
apendltn's Avatar
apendltn
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default

At first it was cranking at normal speed then it would slow significantly. Then nothing "dead key" I guess. Could be I've ignored the battery, wasn't aware they only last 3-5 years.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2012 | 06:48 PM
  #8  
Liberator's Avatar
Liberator
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, VA
Default

Originally Posted by apendltn
At first it was cranking at normal speed then it would slow significantly. Then nothing "dead key" I guess. Could be I've ignored the battery, wasn't aware they only last 3-5 years.
Wow, if that bad boy was bone dry then it certainly hasn't been taken care of. That'll do it every time and once it gets to that point it's unlikely to ever come back. Absolutely get a sealed battery and put it on a battery tender if you don't ride it for extended periods!
 

Last edited by Liberator; Jul 28, 2012 at 03:46 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 28, 2012 | 06:02 AM
  #9  
Redhill Phil's Avatar
Redhill Phil
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Redhill New Zealand
Default

Yeah once that battery is dry it's stuffed
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2012 | 11:57 AM
  #10  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

Just got one of these this spring.

$40 less than HD and its made by the same company. its a GM and has two yr vs HD 6months warranty..



.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:33 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE