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Because of this thread, I inspected the battery cables on my new Train. I'm not sure if it would have caused a problem, but the ground cable insulation had already worn through to the wire where it touched the oil tank. This is a bike with < 50 mi. on it. I wrapped it up with electrical tape.
The negative line isn't a problem as the tank and the rest of the bike are all negative 'lines' (frame ground).
Just keep an eye on the positive (red) line. If it even "THINKS" about getting close to that top tank edge, or anything else for that matter.
Do whatever you have to to prevent that positive lead and the battery terminal from touching the tank or ANY other part of the bike frame for that matter. Now assuming the idiots around you pay attention and don't do something stupid you and your bike should enjoy a long happy life.
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07 FXSTC
Thunder Max w/Autotune
V&H Big Radius, ScreamJet intake
U.S. Army Vietnam Vet
FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR IT - FREEDOM HAS A PRICE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
Just checked my shop manual and it clearly shows the positve cable to be set at 30 degrees to the center of the battery. I would assume it's like that to stop the possibilty of arcing. There are many references to the positive cable attachment to be set this way. However, I'm picking up my 07 FXSTC this friday and will look at this area more closely when I get it home to make sure it was done right. It's definatey a classic short. The ground is there, tank is isolated and the current travels through the metal lines. The braid is not capable of this kind of amperage and burns up. I agree this crap should not happen, but without the braid in there as a failure point it could get a lot more intense. It acts like a really slow burn fuse.
Ron
__________________ 07 Softail Custom
V&H BSS
Screaming Eagle Heavy Breather
Screaming Eagle Big Twin Compensator
Tmax
Harley Blade 41681-07 wheel
The puppy lasted until fall. Now in teardown mode for new build
is this prevelant on any particular model or year?
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2007 HD Fatboy, V&H Big Radius w/ K&N Filter Kit, AirHorn, HD Windscreen & Hardbags, PCIIIusb, Dual bulb headlamp, K. ISO Grips w/throttle boss, K. LED TailLight
Just had something similar happen with my 84 FLHTC. I put a new battery in it this weekend. Then I get a call on Wednesday from my wife saying my bike is on fire. Some how the positive post made contact with some metal and burned up the clutch cable. Pretty crazy.
Got to hand it to my wife. She got the fire extinguisher and put the fire out, pulled thesaddle bag and side cover, and moved the battery.
I did recieve a recall notice about this on my 07 fatboy tok abouut an hour for the dealer to fix
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"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount of up to and including my life.''
RE: what the hell happened to my brand new bike?
07 Softail Custom
