So I noticed my 98 Electra Glide w/fuel inj. started to not want to start and while the bike was turning over I could hear a mechanical clunk. Charged the battery and started right up. Next day same thing and battery back to 50%. New battery and it starts right up. Next day nothing. Now after turning on ignition and Handle bar button where I would usually see the red light and it cycle through the start up I get nothing. Battery @ 100% and all lights working but dead for a start up. Any ideas? Also when the battery went back to 50% it was not on a trickle charge. When I got the new battery I picked one up and now it stays charged.

 

Sounds like you got a fuse or circuit breaker issue

 

....or a short circuit. If you have a blown fuse then you are part way there and need to thoroughly work your way through the wiring related to that fuse to isolate the problem. If you have circuit breakers one of those is probably tripping out, which will also identify where you can start. You need to do some analysis to get closer to the cause of the problem - we can't see your bike from here!

Have you made any mods recently, or done some other work, like changed handlebars?

 

I recommend you installing the push button on the end of the starter. It bypasses all the wiring and relays. They are inexpensive and takes just a few minutes to install.

My 1998 Ultra started doing the exact same thing as yours last year. I still have not tracked down the problem. Once mine is warmed up...the handlebar push button will sometimes work. In the morning...it never works, I have to use the button on the starter.

 

If the starter button fixed your problems you need to look at the adding a relay sticky.

That starter button gets old quick!!!!

 

So because I am crazy busy I have not had time to look at this. As I said I turn on key ignition then turn on handle bar ignition and it does not cycle through start up. For some reason I gave it a try yesterday. Now I have not touched the bike at all. Fired right up! Turned it off and started right up again. Took it for a 10 minute ride. Park in the garage. Try and start it. Nothing again. GR....No mods.

 

When you say not starting what exactly do you mean?
Starter whirring and not turning over the motor.
Hearing a click and that is it?
Hearing absolutely nothing at all?

Time to pull out the volt meter.
Or if you want you can just throw in a new starter relay and see what happens. They are cheap.

 

Does nothing. I don't even think the lights come on.

 

Next time it does it confirm the lights don't come on then let us know.

 

No lights. I will get out tomorrow and put a battery charger on it and check the % of charge. The battery is new so if it is low what would be the cause. The last timew it stared it was on a tender.