Have a 2002 Fatboy with electrical drain/short problems from day one. After a long winter period of non-use, my battery is dead (again) to a point where I can not even read my odometer (in order to renew my state registration). Any suggestions on how I can get my current odometer mileage without buying (yet another) battery would be appreciated.

 

Is it possible that you have an alarm on the bike?
Most alarms have a little blinking light.
The blinking light draws power.
A prolonged winter could drain the battery.
Have you self tested the charging system?
Do you maintain the bike with a battery tender?
Just a few idea's to work on.
To read odometer or power-up bike for a moment just place the positive jumper cable from donor vehicle/car (motor off) to positive pole/bolt on starter and negative jumper cable to muffler clamp.

 

Appreciate the info; have a 1982 KZ-1000M2 that doesn't need no 'stinkin' battery tender even after a long winter's nap that I can use.

Also unfortunately, my electrical problems go far beyond the alarm as a new battery is depleted after only 2 weeks of non use (without a battery tender).

Thanks!

 

If your bikes had problems for that long I would at least take the battery out and put it on a tender before its nap. As mentioned, hook it up to any 12 volt battery and read away.