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Vince here. I’m new to the forums and just bought my first Harley a little over 2 months ago from a seller in NJ. The bike is a 1986 XLH1100 and is pretty much unmolested and all stock. Has about 23,500 miles and is in really good condition, however I’ve been running into problems with the battery staying charged. The bike only had one previous owner, was garage kept, and hadn’t really been ridden in several years.
When I got it home I replaced the battery with a brand new one and rode it for a few days ( runs great) until one morning it wouldn’t start. I ended up pulling the battery and testing it, only to realize it was dead.
Bummer! So, I took it to a shop I trust and gave them the lowdown. They looked at it and eventually told me that the flywheel, regulator, and battery cables needed replaced, but everything else was in great shape.
They got everything replaced and confirmed that now the bike should be charging the battery properly and the issue should be solved.
Great! I pick it up from the shop, ride for a few days, and BAM! the battery is dead and won’t start one morning.
I’ve already talked to the shop and have to bring it back in, but I’m just curious if anyone has had a similar problem and can give any advice on what could be causing the issue of, essentially, the whole battery charging system has been fixed.
First things first. Is the charging system working? Do you have a multimeter? Set it to DC volts. The charging system should be putting out at least 14 volts at the battery terminals when engine is running. If you took it to a shop, even a low skilled apprentice could ascertain the running voltage output.
You said the shop told you it "should be" fixed. What does that even mean?
Your bike is in beautiful shape for it's age, congratulations. Now, go tell the shop to do their job and fix the God damned thing!
You can pick up a cheap one at Harbor Freight tools. I've used the HF one for many years without issues. Comes in handy for lots of other tasks as well, You can test battery voltage with key off before you check charging system. Your bike has no parasitic drain so the battery will be at rest. Then, with bike running, should show 14 volts DC. The shop can also test the stator output, but that is AC voltage, and then the voltage regulator/rectifier converts it to 12V DC for the bike's electrics. Basically, only three parts: Battery, Stator, Regulator. 1986-1990 bikes do have issues with the rotor magnets on the clutch hub coming loose, be sure they check that. After 1991 they moved the rotor/stator components forward to the crankshaft sprocket and eliminated that problem.
Good looking bike. I have an 87 1100. i had a tough start getting mine running right as well. After determining that I had a bad ignition module and playing with the jets in the carb, the bike runs like a champ. Good luck.
He may mean the clutch hub with magnets (rotor), or possibly the stator, or both. Misuse of language is rampant in the auto and motorcycle world. Seems unlikely he actually means the flywheel. Perhaps the mechanics don't even call it properly.
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Issues with ‘86 XLH 1100
