1986 Sportster lost all power
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: NY
1986 Sportster lost all power
hey guys
while riding my 86 Sportster 883 today suddenly tachometer went hay wire then the bike quit and absolutely no power at all. Bike has a brand new clutch basket, stator, regulator, and battery. I have yet to check the ground wire from the negative terminal on the battery, aside from that any suggestions?
while riding my 86 Sportster 883 today suddenly tachometer went hay wire then the bike quit and absolutely no power at all. Bike has a brand new clutch basket, stator, regulator, and battery. I have yet to check the ground wire from the negative terminal on the battery, aside from that any suggestions?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 439
From: va
Not much to go on here bud
BUT --when the elect ign goes bad here's what usually happens
The engine starts great , a little warm up , go for a ride and in about 5 to 10 mi the engine spits , sputters and hard to keep running . Let engine cool down appox 45min and all over again starts , runs good a few min latter and then runs bad
This is 1 of the common things that happens with age on H-D's
ebay --$125
BUT --when the elect ign goes bad here's what usually happens
The engine starts great , a little warm up , go for a ride and in about 5 to 10 mi the engine spits , sputters and hard to keep running . Let engine cool down appox 45min and all over again starts , runs good a few min latter and then runs bad
This is 1 of the common things that happens with age on H-D's
ebay --$125
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,427
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From: Heart of Dixie
Sounds electrical, so I'd suspect a loose/shorted wire on one of the components you had replaced, or a loose battery cable. Even though it's new, I'd also check the battery voltage to make sure it's good and maintaining a charge. The electronic ignition won't work correctly with a low battery.
Last edited by 83XLX; May 14, 2018 at 11:55 AM.
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From: NY
Battery is brand new but tested anyways has good voltage 12+..... when I turn the key on I have absolutely no power at all but if I let the bike sit with the key on after 5 minutes or so my lights and everything will come on, but when I hit the start button I can hear the circuit breaker for the lights pop and then everything goes completely dead
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From: NY
Bad ground as in the wire from negative terminal on battery to back of motor? How do you draw this conclusion?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,370
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From: va
DID you try it with jumper cables ????
Or are you going to doubt someone when YOU are the one asking for help
Or are you going to doubt someone when YOU are the one asking for help
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From: NY
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 165
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From: rockford
First, no power to anything? If thats the case I would check ignition switch. It lights up every thing else. It goes bad and bike will shut down. Had it happen to me on 97. Need a voltmeter and wiring diagram of 86, see which wire from batter supplies power , then see if you are getting anything out of the switch.