what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
ORIGINAL: chops
That happens on Softails when the positive battery post, or the cable and or lug attached to the positive battery post, touches the the oil tank frame (the battery is resting in the oil tank nook).
The oil lines carry the current (complete the path) to find real ground (the motor), which is an awesome display as the SS shielded part of the oil lines glow bright red and smoke. The oil tank is actualy rubber mounted and isolated from ground, which is why it will use the oil lines to find ground.
New oil lines and new O rings for the lines and you're good as new, but make sure the Tech reroutes the + battery lead away from any metal, put the battery on trickle charge, and most importantly FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE MANUAL on how to re-install oil lines, WITH NEW O rings. Two O rings per end, 4 O rings per line. The new O rings do not come with the lines as a package.
Feel free to print this out and carry it to your dealer.
That happens on Softails when the positive battery post, or the cable and or lug attached to the positive battery post, touches the the oil tank frame (the battery is resting in the oil tank nook).
The oil lines carry the current (complete the path) to find real ground (the motor), which is an awesome display as the SS shielded part of the oil lines glow bright red and smoke. The oil tank is actualy rubber mounted and isolated from ground, which is why it will use the oil lines to find ground.
New oil lines and new O rings for the lines and you're good as new, but make sure the Tech reroutes the + battery lead away from any metal, put the battery on trickle charge, and most importantly FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE MANUAL on how to re-install oil lines, WITH NEW O rings. Two O rings per end, 4 O rings per line. The new O rings do not come with the lines as a package.
Feel free to print this out and carry it to your dealer.
The man knows.
Regards.
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From:
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
I have not changed out the pipes. I have a Microsoft word document with a summary of the problems but can't post that format. Here are a few screen prints and pictures... I am not sure how this will work, if it does not come out I will try again this evening.
[IMG]local://upfiles/20151/77637F2258C540279AEBCC4F452DEBEF.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/20151/B91C7920CE3546FF9BEFAA3BFD0707F1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/20151/77637F2258C540279AEBCC4F452DEBEF.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/20151/B91C7920CE3546FF9BEFAA3BFD0707F1.jpg[/IMG]
Administrator Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 252
From: Walker Basin, CA
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
Open your word document in another window. Use the copy feature by dragging the cursor from top left to lower right while holding down the left click. The highlighed portion is what will be copied. Place the cursor anywhere on the blue part and right click. Select copy. Go to your open post you are writing and right click in the open field. Select paste. Voila! your document is ready to post.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
I didn't know this was so widespread, this is my easy fix from a few years ago, so Softail owners take note:
A picture is worth a thousand words, here they are. Take the positive lead and turn it horizontal. There is no way the lug will make contact with the oil tank frame in this position.
As another measure, (which really doesn't relate to the problem) is to put silicone over the TOP side only of the positive terminal. It prevents fireworks should you drop a wrench on the battery; and no I have no first hand experience with that one, close though.
Bonus is the cured silicone is now transferable to a new battery if you elect for the same HD battery when it's time for a refresh.
A picture is worth a thousand words, here they are. Take the positive lead and turn it horizontal. There is no way the lug will make contact with the oil tank frame in this position.
As another measure, (which really doesn't relate to the problem) is to put silicone over the TOP side only of the positive terminal. It prevents fireworks should you drop a wrench on the battery; and no I have no first hand experience with that one, close though.
Bonus is the cured silicone is now transferable to a new battery if you elect for the same HD battery when it's time for a refresh.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing! 
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
It's under the seat 
ORIGINAL: XTrooper3936
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
ORIGINAL: BuckeyeHD
It's under the seat
It's under the seat
ORIGINAL: XTrooper3936
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
Ok.........I just removed the seat on my '07 Fat Boy (thanks again, BuckeyeHD) and I found that..........
1. The positive battery cable was already in the horizontal position as shown in shown in chops "right" position photo
and
2. There is a fairly large wire bundle located directed in front of and against the positive terminal, so there is no way it could come into contact with the frame.
I added a piece of electrical tape and completely covered the positive terminal and positive battery cable connection, but I honestly don't think it was necessary in this case.
1. The positive battery cable was already in the horizontal position as shown in shown in chops "right" position photo
and
2. There is a fairly large wire bundle located directed in front of and against the positive terminal, so there is no way it could come into contact with the frame.
I added a piece of electrical tape and completely covered the positive terminal and positive battery cable connection, but I honestly don't think it was necessary in this case.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
ORIGINAL: XTrooper3936
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
Ok, here's a dumb question. How the frig do you get to the battery? I just bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I can't even find the damn thing!
In any case I went out and got the service manual, and I would recomend that anyone who is doing even minor wrenching on their bike get one too. Its very comprehensive, even lists all the special tools that you might need to take your bike apart, and get it back together right.
BTW XTrooper, hows the riding going, getting more "comfortable" on your new FB yet? I am having a lot of fun on my Custom, weather prmitting and getting very comfortable, its the idiots in the cars that scare me and are keeping me from really relaxing. Then again, maybe that's not such a bad thing after all, if I relaxed too much some fool would probably hit me because I wasn't looking hard enough for him.
I'm still committed to taking the riding course come spring time.