Tried to start my bike beginning of the season and she wouldn't turn all the way over, took the battery off to charge it and reconnected fully charged. All connections are clean and tight. Now i turn the key and no lights on be dash or headlights at all come on much less even try to start. Need help, one of the more frustrating issues i've had.

Thank you
Smitty

 

Firstly you need to make sure your battery is good. It could be you tried to charge a battery that is past saving.
What is the battery voltage across the battery?...
With key off
With key and run switch on.
You should have at the very least 12.5 volts with key off after having charged it and more like 12.7 volts or above
For the most definitive answer regards battery condition you should get it load tested. how old is the battery?
Check your fuses are in good condition and that the fuse box area is clean and corrosion free.
Wiggle you key in the switch as this can be a problem area sometimes.

good luck.

 

If you are confident in the battery, make sure the ground cable wasn't stressed or loosened at the engine end.

Could try jumping from your (non running) car, to eliminate wiring.

 

Also remember, your bikes charging system is not meant to charge a battery, its there to maintain a charged battery. Its always best to keep ot charged up.

 

OMG It has been over two years now. I hope the OP managed to get the bike going?

With the voltage regulator outputting nearly 14 volts the battery will get charged back up from what ever was taken from it starting the engine.

If the intention were to just maintain the charge in what I believe is called float mode the output of the regulator would be lower around 13.5 volts.

According to the H D manual the output from the Regulator could be as high as 15 volts. I think that it too high and anything 14.7 volts or higher is probably what shortens the life of the battery.

13.8 volts is high enough to recharge a battery albeit at a slower rate than the higher voltage.

 

“Dang thing died on me”. Don’t be too upset, it happens to everyone once in a while.

 

Haha, thats funny. That was my post thread from late last week.

- G