harley Motorcycle Bike Harley Motorcycle battery drops 12v when Keys turned on?
Last night the bikes lights and dash instruments just died. Now the bike doesn't even crank over nor can you turn on the lights or anything. The battery alone with the key off reads 13.16v. As soon as the key is turned on the reading drops to about 1v. Any clue why or where to look first for this issue? Its a 95 Harley.
Battery is brand new
Concerning the voltage drop, that's normal because it's a 12V battery. The 13.2V is what's called a surface charge because there's voltage (electrical pressure) without any current. Think of a garden hose with the water turned on but the nozzle end of the hose turned off. Pressure is present but no volume is delivered. Turn the nozzle on and the pressure in the hose will drop because volume is being delivered, just like when you energize the electrical system.
I'd check the battery terminals to make sure the connections are clean and bright (no black). Also make sure your main circuit breaker is ok.
Anvil Customs' First Chopper Motorcycle Bike Build
Are You A Motorcycle Rider/Owner? Do You Recommend Honda, Harley, or Yamaha?
I have been researching possibly buying a used/pre-owned motorcycle. I love Harley Davidsons like the Sportster and the 1200 series, but man are they expensive and I heard very high maintenance. I have heard that Hondas and Yamahas in the higher powered models are easier to maintain and cheaper to service. What is your opinion on owning a bike and what is your preference. Still, there is nothing like that Harley sound when it's cranked up on the freeway. Thanks
i ride a sportster, and for the money, i'll stay with it. it will easily handle interstate speeds, maintainence is no more expensive than the ricers; take care of yer bike, it will take care of u. this applies to ALL bikes.
for the power to weight ratio, reptilian manuverability, and the best gas mileage of the fleet, the sportster is where its at. ignore that moron that has no clue about a sportster. a big twin cant lean as far as a sportster will; it will lean 32 degrees on 1 side, 34 on the other side. a big twin with floor boards will scrape way before u get to that point. sportster's will also have alot more pickup off the line than a big twin, and will sip gas compared to a big twin.
if u set up a sportster properly, it can be a decent and cost effective tourer....but this wont make it like a road king either.
if u prefer the harley sound, then get a harley. everything else is a poor imitation. if what u want is a harley, no other bike will give u satisfaction like hd.
this guy took a sportster on the recent ibr ride. this is the most grueling ride u will ever make. 11,000 miles in 11 days. for a so-called 'bar hopper' or a 'chick bike', he finished in 3rd place. this bike basically is the same as the bike i ride, but he outfitted more electronics, and rigged up extra fuel cells that would give the bike up to 10 gallons worth of fuel. here's the link for it. http://www.donahuehd.com/?05ibr
so a sportster wont do 0-100 in 3 seconds....speed kills more squids than cars. sportster's are also very easy to change ur own oil. i would advise a 1200 sportster vs an 883, but an 883 can be turned into a very potent little hotrod with just a little effort. i would not advise straight pipes. they hurt low and midrange power. my bike is 100% stock, and i get on average on interstate riding, mid 50's mpg.
rap with other sportster owners here: http://www.sportster.org/
sportster's are very fun bikes to ride. those that say different dont have the balls to throw a leg over and actually take it for an all day ride on the twisties.
As long as it has over 7,500 miles or more and it has been registered since new for a year or more, it is not required to be CA emissions legal. They made that rule to prevent Californians from going outside the state to purchase new vehicles to avoid the stupid smog junk they smother the engines with there.
Here is an excerpt from the California's DMV website:
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?
Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:
Hybrid
1975 year model or older
Diesel powered
Electric
Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more.
Motorcycle
Trailer
this is crazy. how does he shift though. he has to let off the throttle, pull the clutch and shift. it sounds automatic..and he cant reach the shifter so how do u shirt while he pulls the clutch. its seems fake. as long as u teach him to keep it American and roll with a Harley Davidson he will be a ladies man
For the record Jan's Bike is a Yamaha … a Yamaha 1100cc Silvarado to be exact. It is not a Harley, but it is not a Suzuki either. Thats important – details are important.
A Harley is a Harley for many reasons – but mainly it is a Harley for its engine. An engine who's core design can be traced back to the 1936 Knuckle-Head version of Harley motorcycle engines. While it has been refined over the years (to its near point of perfection) its amazing that Harley has stuck with this central driving theme for 71 years. Mechanically, a Harley engine is far superior to most other motorcycles – mileage in the 200,000 range is not uncommon some have gone 400,000. I hope to see my hawg go 100,000 miles … only 77500 to go.
While I am blessed with 4 wonderful sisters, none of them know shit from shinola about anything mechanical – or in this case motorcycles.
As long as it has over 7,500 miles or more and it has been registered since new for a year or more, it is not required to be CA emissions legal. They made that rule to prevent Californians from going outside the state to purchase new vehicles to avoid the stupid smog junk they smother the engines with there.
Here is an excerpt from the California's DMV website:
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?
Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:
Hybrid
1975 year model or older
Diesel powered
Electric
Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more.
Motorcycle
Trailer
a little funny
this is crazy. how does he shift though. he has to let off the throttle, pull the clutch and shift. it sounds automatic..and he cant reach the shifter so how do u shirt while he pulls the clutch. its seems fake. as long as u teach him to keep it American and roll with a Harley Davidson he will be a ladies man
Please let me know where you live.
Custom Harley Motorcycle Parts
For the record Jan's Bike is a Yamaha … a Yamaha 1100cc Silvarado to be exact. It is not a Harley, but it is not a Suzuki either. Thats important – details are important.
A Harley is a Harley for many reasons – but mainly it is a Harley for its engine. An engine who's core design can be traced back to the 1936 Knuckle-Head version of Harley motorcycle engines. While it has been refined over the years (to its near point of perfection) its amazing that Harley has stuck with this central driving theme for 71 years. Mechanically, a Harley engine is far superior to most other motorcycles – mileage in the 200,000 range is not uncommon some have gone 400,000. I hope to see my hawg go 100,000 miles … only 77500 to go.
While I am blessed with 4 wonderful sisters, none of them know shit from shinola about anything mechanical – or in this case motorcycles.