[Spike]

I need some help guys ... I recently installed a bunch of add-ons on my 2000 Sportster 1200 Sport (new handlebars, chrome speedo and tach brakets, chrome switch housings and chrome clutch + front brake levers and mounts). Anyway, I disconnected the negative cable on the battery before I started the project. To make a long story short, I ran into some problems with some of the parts that I ordered and had to wait on mailorder returns so the project took longer than expected (a couple of weeks!). I finally went to hook up the battery tonight, as everything was finally complete except for bleeding the new braided brake lines up front, and discovered that I have no juice! I first thought that the battery had discharged but when I put the charger on it it says it's charged. Anybody have any ideas what it might be? Everything worked fine when I started tearing off the old handlebars and controls. Now when I turn the key on I have nothing! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[chucktx]

load test the battery.....check all fuses/breakers.
get the service manual and do there check list, it is pretty thorough.....
make sure all the connections at the battery are clean and shiney, especially the ground from the battery to the frame..........let us know what ya come up with........

[SPORSTERBOY]

the fuses are pretty fun to find if you don't know where they are, you prob. crimped the wires when you put your controls back on and when you hooked the battery up it poped the fuse, if you don't have a manual, you have to pull that triangle cover off pull all the junk out look at how all the wires go in and that piece disconects from the main piece and your fuses are on the other end of all those wires

[Lucifer]

Check to see if your ground strap for the handlebars is attached. Usually when stuff happens,go over the last thing you did. I'm going by a foggy memory but there should be a ground strap that goes from your riser bolt to the top triple tree. the rubber riser bushings not only absorb vibration,they isoate the handlebars from being grounded.
If your OK there you're gonna have to get your service manual and a multi meter and start digging.See if you have power to the line side of the ignition switch, if yes, keep going foward,turn the switch on and check the load side. Use the schematic and trace the circuits until you don't get power and then check all your terminals and contacts between where you got juice and where you don't.
Start at the battery and work your way out, you'll find it.
Good luck

[Spike]

Thanks for the advice guys. I finally tracked the problem down this afternoon. After going over all of my work two times I started at the battery this afternoon and it didn't take long to find the problem, which was totally unrelated to the mods I had done. I had power at the battery but not at the starter so I gave a little tug on the positive cable and it pulled right out of the protective plastic sleeve in my hand! The little sucker had broken off inside down where it was crimped into the terminal end that attaches to the starter. So a quick trip to the auto store later and I was home putting a new positive cable on the bike. After that she fired right up. I took her down the road and back and when I pulled back into the garage and shut her down, guess what song was just coming on the radio? Aerosmith's Back in the Saddle. I was just in time to hear Steven Tyler belt out I'm baaaack! I'm back in the saddle again. How poetic.

"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned."

[chucktx]

very cool!!!!!!!! glad you got the problem fixed!!!!!!!!!! have fun and stay safe!!!

[cowboy]

Good to here it was not you work , & like chuck said ride safe

[Lucifer]

Glad to here you got it!! Now try some Steppenwolf