This might seem like a dumb question but my battery just sits on the tray. It had been zip tied in place and I'm pretty darn certain that it didn't come that way from the factory.
I'm thinking it must have used a rubber strap or a metal one to hold the battery in place. I see them for 82-on but nothing for 79-80-81

I looked online and can't find any photos and even went up to the local dealership. The parts guy there looked at the battery tray parts listing for 79-81 and said he doesn't even think they listed a part for my 80.
I told the guy at the dealership I saw a small oem bracket online when I studied the parts diagrams. It mounts above and behind the battery, onto the frame and costs about $32 for a part prob worth $8 max. I'd think that would be one of the mounting points. He said I don't think that is for an 80... Maybe just the 79.
There had to have been a way to hold the battery in place on the 80-81, but when even the dealership says nope... It leaves we wondering. I can see notched areas on the tray.... Something had to go there.

I'm really wanting to properly secure it and get away from hardware store zip ties.

Anyone here know what I'm looking for?

 

Not sure what parts department they were looking at, but an 80 absolutely had a battery strap. Checking online it seems out of production now.

I had the same issue with my '72 so I ended up making a leather strap to hold the battery in.

 

You can see the parts list for your bike on-line here, where you can see the battery strap and so much more!

 

No we can't! That website illustrates battery trays and strap options, but none are shown as being used for any of the three Sportsters of that year.

Other on-line parts websites I have used in recent times were more helpful that the link I gave, but have either dropped their parts page or swapped to this style, which is not very helpful.

 

Thanks for the replys. One thing I've been finding is that parts diagrams might show illustrated parts but they no longer list the parts that aren't available. It would be better if they listed the part and the number and just indicated "not available".

Im wondering if I order a Nos paper copy of a parts manual if they'd show and list the part numbers. It's odd that no one even seems to make an aftermarket replacement part.

 

That's a good idea. In fact the MoCo keep reprinting older manuals, so you should be able to get one reasonably easily. Your local friendly dealer should be able to order you one, if he doesn't hold stock.

 

My parts manual shows all parts, even out of stock or outdated ones, unlike online ones.

 

I'm going to order one today. I was hoping I could just rely on the free online parts catalogs... but I now realize that's just not going to cut it.

 

I just ordered a manual and in the process found a discussion on the same issue over on the XLforum. I found a thread that shows the required part is actually the $32 part I had seen online. It's designed to be mounted onto the oil tank and then it presses against the top of the batter. It appears to have a rubber piece attached for where it contacts the tip surface of the battery.
Now I just need to find someone that carries part # 66279-80, which is used only on the 80-81 sportsters.

I just found a source and placed an order for the bracket and all the related hardware at stcharlesharkeydavidson.com