Battery
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From:
Battery
Morning Chaps,
I am a dreadful Harley Owner, I love the bikes but have no clue about how they work. It took me an entire weekend to fit a sissy bar. I've crashed it twice (nearly died the second time) but she keeps calling me back. However, she wont play at the moment because her Battery keeps draining. She flashes at me a lot - can't figure out why. I've replaced battery - was easy - but again a new battery drained overnight. I know how to turn her on - and off - but something is ****ling at her insides and she keeps dying. I haven't got a clue about how to sort her out - according to threads it might be the ignition, might be the earth - somebody please talk me through it - I have a Clymer manual but the bastard thing is in storage as we have just moved. Need to get to work - especially as the weather here in blighty is improving. Please help - and be prepared for an idiotic Englishman who bought the bike because it was pretty.
I am a dreadful Harley Owner, I love the bikes but have no clue about how they work. It took me an entire weekend to fit a sissy bar. I've crashed it twice (nearly died the second time) but she keeps calling me back. However, she wont play at the moment because her Battery keeps draining. She flashes at me a lot - can't figure out why. I've replaced battery - was easy - but again a new battery drained overnight. I know how to turn her on - and off - but something is ****ling at her insides and she keeps dying. I haven't got a clue about how to sort her out - according to threads it might be the ignition, might be the earth - somebody please talk me through it - I have a Clymer manual but the bastard thing is in storage as we have just moved. Need to get to work - especially as the weather here in blighty is improving. Please help - and be prepared for an idiotic Englishman who bought the bike because it was pretty.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 651
Likes: 1
From: South Plainfield, NJ
RE: Battery
I had a similar problem with my battery and it ended up being a wire that was rubbing between the seat and frame wore out the rubber casing and was shorting out causing a battery drain. If this is a newer bike bring it to the dealer and tell them to look for the problem.
If not try trace all your visible wires to see if theres any loose connections or bare wires, thats where I would start.
If not try trace all your visible wires to see if theres any loose connections or bare wires, thats where I would start.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Battery
If you want to see if it is actually draining and isn't a charging system issue.Disconnect the negative battery terminal.Place one end ofa test light onthe battery and the other end on the cable.Make sure everything is turned off.If the test light comes on you have a drain.If it doesn't you have another issure like a charging system problem,loose ground or connection somewhere.Check the voltage across the battery terminals with the rpm up around 1500.You should see at least 13.5 volts. If the test light does come on pull fuses or disconnect stuff until it goes out.Then you will know the affected circuit draining the battery.If you have short it should blow a fuse and not drain the battery.Two different things entirely.
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Battery
Its a Sportster 883C 2004 - done 15000 miles. Have rideen through rain, snow, ice etc - can't believe I don't know how she works - If she was a horse she would probably have died.
Thanks for the advice about wires and stuff - if it stops pissing down with rain I will jiggle her insides a bit. Have bought an electric circuit tester but time being of the essence (hate public transport- trains into London! may as well be on a cattle truck) have also booked her in to a dealer (cost me ÂŁ800 for the last service - turned out I had no brake pads - the carb was choked - the tyres were illegal).
Guys I love the bike - despite her looking a bit ropey round the edges (salt roads just eat everything) - but I really need a daily commute. Was thinking of flogging her for a Buell (or maybe a Honda CBR). I really don't want to - but I have more chrome holding me together than her now.
Thanks for the advice about wires and stuff - if it stops pissing down with rain I will jiggle her insides a bit. Have bought an electric circuit tester but time being of the essence (hate public transport- trains into London! may as well be on a cattle truck) have also booked her in to a dealer (cost me ÂŁ800 for the last service - turned out I had no brake pads - the carb was choked - the tyres were illegal).
Guys I love the bike - despite her looking a bit ropey round the edges (salt roads just eat everything) - but I really need a daily commute. Was thinking of flogging her for a Buell (or maybe a Honda CBR). I really don't want to - but I have more chrome holding me together than her now.
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Battery
Guys,
It was the Brain of the Alarm system - apparently unusual. Replaced it and reset alarm (new key fobs etc) Battery seems fine. Really don't know how this could have happened but makes sense to me. Been riding into work and the sun has been shining. Thanks for your help and advice - have invested in all sorts of gizmos for future problems.
It was the Brain of the Alarm system - apparently unusual. Replaced it and reset alarm (new key fobs etc) Battery seems fine. Really don't know how this could have happened but makes sense to me. Been riding into work and the sun has been shining. Thanks for your help and advice - have invested in all sorts of gizmos for future problems.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Battery
Glad to hear/see/read that you got your problem all sorted out. Be careful, man! Sounds like English cagers aren't much better than their American counterparts.[:@]
Welcome from Washington State, where the motto should be, "50 Kinds of Rain and We Hate Them All."
Welcome from Washington State, where the motto should be, "50 Kinds of Rain and We Hate Them All."
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From:
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, LA
RE: Battery
Hey Tobywan,
I have the HD manual for that year/model. If you need me to scan/email any procedures or drawings email me olesalt43@suddenlink.net. Keep the Sporty. You won't regret it.
I have the HD manual for that year/model. If you need me to scan/email any procedures or drawings email me olesalt43@suddenlink.net. Keep the Sporty. You won't regret it.
