Hello. First time in the forum so please forgive the probably already submitted question. Riding my .02 Ultra, the speedo started jumping around. The m/c continued to run fine but as we pulled into a parking lot I let off the throttle and the bike died. I bump started it immediately and we rode home.(about an hour each way). As I pulled back into the drive, I let off the gas again and it died again. After stopping. I pressed the start button and the bike started right up. I had the battery checked and it checked out ok. A friend insisted it probably had a dead cell. I bought a new battery, we took a two hour ride and the speedo jumped around around again. We were minutes from home so when I pulled into the drive again I let off the gas and it died again. Once again I started the bike and it fired right up again. The mechanic is backed up for four weeks and I thought someone could give me an idea on what the problem may be??

 

Hi Dak, no worries mate. I just moved you to where you will get more and better replies to your issue.

Feel free to come back to the Welcome Area Only by clicking HERE. <-- There you can tell us a bit about yourself and we can formally welcome you.

Sry abt your issue. The mates here are VERY GOOD!!! Actually GREAT techies!!

 

Welcome to the forums from Ontario, Canada, maybe speed sensor, take it off and clean it.

 

Welcome from New York.

 

I kinda doubt a bad cell in the battery, would cause issue with tach when the bike is running. Sensor on top of tranny sometimes gets dirty and needs cleaning. If you have fuel injection, I am not sure if that would cause issues. It won't for a carb, but you didn't include your model designation. I am guessing ultra was delphi in 2002.



Do the lights go out and dash, or just the speedometer bounces around?

 

I had a similar issue with my 2002 Road King.
Do not start by throwing parts at it.
I recommend removing the cables from the battery and starter. Clean connections until bright and shiny.
Use dielectric grease on the connections and reinstall.

If the problem goes away (like it did for me) you will be happy.

 

I would think he would clean the connections prior to the installation of new battery, but then again maybe not.

 

Connections at the starter also need attention.

 

It happened to me while riding also.
I am speaking from first hand experience.

 

The battery cable part being tight I agree, But I wouldn't focus on starter. But it is cheap to go through connections, and as you say it happened to you, free and easy.

If just the speedo went funny, and dash was still on, I would clean speedo sensor, Again free and easy.

I think what we need to know was it just the needle, or did other stuff go funny. I think in a lot of these threads, that is something that needs to be spelled out. I realize often OP thinks they have, but sometimes as a reader it is missed. It needs to be a punch in the face. We don't need the story. Or put it at the bottom after the story. Often reading these threads you need to pull the facts out, where it would be helpful if listed at bottom.

Did it fire right back up? Did you cycle ignition first? Was headlight on? I realize hard to focus on all this as you die in traffic with cars buzzing by.