 » Site Navigation | | | | » Sponsored By |
| | » B-T Recommends: |
| | Bike Power Bike Talk Motorcycle Tech Talk  | 
Dec 27th, 2008, 09:35 AM
|
#1 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22 Model: 2000 Harley Sportster 883 C Interests: Riding, drinking Occupation: STate worker
| Bike Power
So my 2000 Sporty 883 runs great. No problems, the other day, I had it on my trailer outside for about 20 mins, and it was raining. Took it off the trailer and it wouldn't start. No power at all. Then i took the battery off the tray, still hooked up though, and then it started right up. Put the battery back in the tray, tried to start it and nothing. No power. took it back out and it started right up. I noticed the negative cable was a little loose so I tightened the post back up. But when I put the battery back on the tray no power. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON??? It has something to do with the water for sure. I took the battery off the tray to let the water dry up. Is there something else?
Thanks for anything. | 
|  | |
Sponsored Links
| | | |
Dec 27th, 2008, 12:20 PM
|
#2 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 868 Model: '95, '00 Sportsters Interests: Racing & Land-Speed-Record events in particular Occupation: Semi-retired independent contractor (varied fields)
| [COLOR="Navy"]You didn't say how old the battery is & it's conceivable that the case is damaged (age, vibration) which allows a dead short to ground when you stick it back in the tray. Your problem certainly does sound water-related, but there are other possibilites too, including the fact that the battery cables can break inside the insulation & you won't see it from the outside. In other words, when the cable is stretched out with the battery out of it's tray you've got enough connection to start the bike, but when you stuff the battery back in, the cables bend around enough that you lose the connection you had. And/or there's enough moisture inside the cables that it ruins the connection - but only when tha cables are in a certain position.[/COLOR] | |
| | |
Dec 27th, 2008, 06:59 PM
|
#3 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22 Model: 2000 Harley Sportster 883 C Interests: Riding, drinking Occupation: STate worker
| I tighten the posts up on the battery and so far it seemed to work. It starts up fine the last 6-7 times I tried. Maybe it was just a coincidence with the rain and not starting.
Thank you for the info. | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 03:36 AM
|
#4 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,709
| i would remove the cables and clean the connections....a black looking, crust will form between the cable and terminal....clean both until shiney then reconnect. remove the negative first and install it last..... 
__________________ 
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."  We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan.   | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 07:35 AM
|
#5 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22 Model: 2000 Harley Sportster 883 C Interests: Riding, drinking Occupation: STate worker
| What should i use to clean? steel brush? | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 07:39 AM
|
#6 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,211 Interests: Anything outdoors (climbing, backpacking, fishing, Mtn biking, riding) Occupation: Chemistry teacher
|
Auto Zone and Advanced Auto both sell special battery terminal brushes that are differently configured steel brushes that aid in cleaning battery terminals and posts. Or you can buy the standard steel brush which will make things a heack of alot easier on your wallet if need be. | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 02:44 PM
|
#7 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: I'm everywhere, I'm everywhere
Posts: 1,152 Model: 06 flhxi Interests: family,fun, fast chrome Occupation: causing hate and discontent
| steel wool from under the sink, a pocket knife, screwdriver just about any thing that will scrape lead to a shine
__________________ ain't no feelin like harleymobilin 
remember first throttle then bottle, life will stay fun in that order
3.9% of women in survey don't wear underwear. | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 02:45 PM
|
#8 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: I'm everywhere, I'm everywhere
Posts: 1,152 Model: 06 flhxi Interests: family,fun, fast chrome Occupation: causing hate and discontent
| and put a little spray paint over the terminals afterwards to slow the oxidation, or petrojell that kinda stuff
__________________ ain't no feelin like harleymobilin
remember first throttle then bottle, life will stay fun in that order
3.9% of women in survey don't wear underwear. | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 05:46 PM
|
#9 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,709
| on motorcycle batteries, i use a small steel wire brush on a wooden handle, it also has brass bristles on the other side....pretty handy. make em shiney, that is the key. when you service the bike, clean the terminals....only takes a couple of minutes.....then ya have one other thing ya dont have to worry about......get a factory service manual....it will be tremendous help.....actually it will be the best tool in the box!!!!
__________________
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan. | |
| | |
Dec 28th, 2008, 08:19 PM
|
#10 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alvin TX
Posts: 3,912 Model: 03 E Glide X cop bike Interests: My family Old Dodge truck's Riding My Glide Occupation: Retired truck Driver
| I just change the Batt in my Daughters sporty , so make sure the lower end of the neg cable is clean & tight hers is a 04 883
__________________ cowboy
Alvin TX
03Electra Glide FLHTPI
one of the founding members www.sweptline.org | |
| | |
Dec 29th, 2008, 08:12 PM
|
#11 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 40 Model: '07 FLHX +
| If you clean the terminals and still have the same issue, have your battery tested. If the battery is good, then think about replacing the cables.
They are cheap compared to the headaches they can cause. Good luck! | |
| | |
Dec 30th, 2008, 05:39 AM
|
#12 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22 Model: 2000 Harley Sportster 883 C Interests: Riding, drinking Occupation: STate worker
| thanks everyone!! So far so good. It still starts. | |
| | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
|
Similar Threads | | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post | | Need more power | linda | Motorcycle Tech Talk | 10 | Nov 29th, 2008 05:16 PM | | Evo power | bain | Motorcycle Tech Talk | 25 | Dec 21st, 2007 06:29 AM | | Power commander | cowboy | Motorcycle Tech Talk | 8 | Apr 24th, 2006 06:30 AM | | loosing power | titan biker | Motorcycle Tech Talk | 3 | Sep 3rd, 2004 01:18 AM | | power | fireman030102 | Motorcycle Tech Talk | 2 | Jun 24th, 2004 07:35 AM |
|
