Not starting!

I have a 2000 Sportster 883. Have it hooked up to battry tender, but it has been sitting for maybe 3-4 weeks.
Now it won't start. If I turn the key it will sometimes try to start up, but then just clicks. Other tmes, just clicks.
I hooked it up to a batter jumper and it started right up. Unhooked it then let it idle for about 20 mins and then drove it for mayb 15 mins. Came home, turned it off, and then it wouldn't start again. It would try but then just click. The lights do come on though.

The battery is only about 3 years old.

Any help please thanks.

In my experience when clicking is heard from the starter the battery doesn't have enough cranking amps. Try K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid). Look for the simple and stupid problems first. Check the poles to ensure the cables are connected securly and are clean.

A battery can measures full voltage under no load but not have enough amps during cranking where it is needed. This is why the lights work when the starter wont turnover. Take the battery to an auto parts store and ask them to perform a load test. This will tell you if a new battery is needed.

That is funny but a good one (KISS).
I did notice the negative terminal was a little loose. So I tightened i up. I thinking of taking it somewhere to do a test. Okay thanks.

I assume once I get the full charge, then by riding it again it should maintain the charge?
Also I have heard, to keep a charge, you can just hook up a battery tender, start up once a week or so and it should keep charge. But I also heard you have to take the bike out and ride to maintain charge?

I have my Ultra hooked to a battery tender for 5 months .I do not start it thru the winter months and when I do bring it out the battery will have a full charge.

which battery tender do you have? I am wondering if my battery is just done! well i am charging it so I will check in a little while. Thanks for the info.

My battery is five years old and has been kept on a tender for about the last three years. I noticed today, it is starting to turn over pretty slow at first and then cranks up. I checked the battery with a meter and it read 12.7v which is a little low. When I hit the starter, it dropped to around 8-9 volts which isn't too bad but I think I had better have a load test done. I'm leaving it off the tender tonight and I hope it will start in the morning. You can make the battery last if you take care of it.
I've noticed the neg terminal will get loose on mine also. A drop of blue locktight fixes that. Good luck.

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the tips as usual.
think I will take it over to the autozone and just get the test done.

chinotabeer - You might also double check the starter cable at the starter, had one that for some reason always worked loose at least once a month - never did get it to stay tight.
Also - You said you were a state worker - Highway Dept? - I just retired from the Highway Dept. in my state two years ago, really miss not plowing snow all winter long and getting up at the crack of dawn or any time in between to fix something broke on the road. Pickin up road kill was one of my favorite things to do at three in morning after just getting in from a 12 hour shift behind the plow. Yeh Right! lol uke: :roflmao::roflmao:

I will check that too. Thanks.
Yes state, work for DMV headquarters. Designer for all of our offices in CA.
I have probably 25 years before I retire! Lucky you.

IIRC...12.7v across the terminals without the bike running is OK, should be around 13.8-14v with the engine running, but 8-9v when you hit the start button isn't....good idea to get a load test done but I think your battery is on its way out.... 5 yrs out of a battery is pretty good.

Thanks, Lucifer. I left it off the tender overnight and put the meter on it before I tried to start it. It was still 12.7 (should be around 13.2 for a fully charged battery). When I turned on the switch and the lights came on, the voltage dropped to 11.5. When I hit the started, it clicked a couple times and then fired up. The voltage dropped to around 8v. It goes up to well over 13v when it's revved.
What I have been doing is keeping it on the tender, cranking it up and riding. I've been afraid that it might not hold a charge if left off the tender for a couple days. I'm getting a new battery tomorrow. I checked with local dealership and they want $116 for a new one. I hope I can find one cheaper but I've heard some of you guys say that HD makes the best one.

I posted a thread about some battery prices that I had found about a month ago. I decided that you get what you pay for and decided to stick with HD.

http://bike-talk.com/forum/pull-up-chair-sit-spell/10404-battery-prices.html

The HD jel battery for my RK was $150 something. I bought a HD battery from MandMcycle.com and shipped to my door was about $137. Didn't save a lot and I had to wait a week for it. Just to let you know.

Three years in a sportster is like several lifetimes for a battery

I found my battery at another local Harley dealership for a little over $93. They had a 20% off sale going. That was lucky. Picked up some Lyndall Z pads for about $40 a set. Pretty good deals, I thought.
This battery reads about 13.2v and doesn't drop hardly any when the starter is hit. It starts so fast, I couldn't really get a good reading on the meter but it was about 11.5v. I'm good to go.
BTW, they had an aftermarket battery that is "just as good" as the Harley for $83 including tax. I didn't want to take a chance to save a few bucks.