Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Electrical Issue - suggestions welcome

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 08:51 AM
  #11  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by 1984_FXRT
First thing to remember is that HD "earth" is NEGATIVE ground - opposite Mr. Lucas's positive ground.
I doubt Iceman is old enough to need to worry about remembering that.

Most vehicles that were still using positive ground electrical systems at the time, were switched to negative ground systems by the mid 1950's. The last vehicle I recall still using a positive ground system, was a 1960 Metropolitan Coupe.

.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 09:47 AM
  #12  
mrfikser's Avatar
mrfikser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
I doubt Iceman is old enough to need to worry about remembering that.

Most vehicles that were still using positive ground electrical systems at the time, were switched to negative ground systems by the mid 1950's. The last vehicle I recall still using a positive ground system, was a 1960 Metropolitan Coupe.

.
If I remember correctly Jaguar still had positive grounds in the late 60's...but the op is probably still to young to remember that...
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 09:50 AM
  #13  
mrfikser's Avatar
mrfikser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Default

as far as the problem,, I would be willing to bet one of the relays are stuck closed or there is corrosion in the fuse box....
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 10:06 AM
  #14  
iceman336's Avatar
iceman336
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 7
From: Spruce Grove, AB, Canada
Default

Well, I took it right down to the frame last night and went over every wire, popped every connector and coated with dielectric grease, then pulled the fuses and did the circuit tester thing. The 30 amp primary fuse showed a ground so now I'm really wondering... Anybody have any more ideas?
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 10:09 AM
  #15  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by mrfikser
If I remember correctly Jaguar still had positive grounds in the late 60's...but the op is probably still to young to remember that...
You're correct, I just looked it up for grins.

The last of the positive ground cars switched to negative -
Austin - started switch in 1971
Datsun - 1966
Envoy - 1967
Ford (Great Britan) - 1967
Hillman - 1966
Humber - 1966
Jaguar - 1967 to 1969
MG - 1969
Rover - 1969
Singer - 1966
Sunbeam - 1966
Triumph - 1967
Vauxhall - 1967

 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 10:18 AM
  #16  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by iceman336
Well, I took it right down to the frame last night and went over every wire, popped every connector and coated with dielectric grease, then pulled the fuses and did the circuit tester thing. The 30 amp primary fuse showed a ground so now I'm really wondering... Anybody have any more ideas?
It looks like the only things that are connected to the 30 amp MaxiFuse (without going through one of the 15 amp fuses), are the starter relay, the voltage regulator, and the Red wire to the ignition switch.

I'd start disconnecting them one at a time.

.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 11:08 AM
  #17  
iceman336's Avatar
iceman336
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 7
From: Spruce Grove, AB, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
It looks like the only things that are connected to the 30 amp MaxiFuse (without going through one of the 15 amp fuses), are the starter relay, the voltage regulator, and the Red wire to the ignition switch.

I'd start disconnecting them one at a time.

.
I've got a feeling it is the starter relay. There is a loud buzzing noise and a pause prior to the starter rolling over. But if that is the case, why would the battery still be going dead when the bike is off? Would that relay still be feeding power through to the ground even with the key off?
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 11:28 AM
  #18  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by iceman336
I've got a feeling it is the starter relay. There is a loud buzzing noise and a pause prior to the starter rolling over. But if that is the case, why would the battery still be going dead when the bike is off? Would that relay still be feeding power through to the ground even with the key off?
Not if things are working correctly, but obviously they are not. Pull the relay and look for corrosion on the relay contacts.
Pull the relay and see if the drain stops. The relay may or may not be the problem, but you can buy a new one from most auto parts stores for about $5.00.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 04:48 PM
  #19  
iceman336's Avatar
iceman336
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 7
From: Spruce Grove, AB, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
I doubt Iceman is old enough to need to worry about remembering that.

Most vehicles that were still using positive ground electrical systems at the time, were switched to negative ground systems by the mid 1950's. The last vehicle I recall still using a positive ground system, was a 1960 Metropolitan Coupe.

.
LOL! Just for reference, the first vehicle I drove was a 1949 Dodge 3 ton grain truck with the positive ground. My 1951 Ford 8N yard tractor is still positive ground...
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 08:35 AM
  #20  
1984_FXRT's Avatar
1984_FXRT
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by iceman336
LOL! Just for reference, the first vehicle I drove was a 1949 Dodge 3 ton grain truck with the positive ground. My 1951 Ford 8N yard tractor is still positive ground...
You've got an 8N? Still 6-volt? I assume no lights? :-)

I spent lots of time as a kid in the seat of one of those runnin' a bush hog and plowin' snow - Great old tractors!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:13 AM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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