yes, i had the problem and updated the clips (dont recall what model year i went with, but no longer have this problem)- all has been good since the update.

 

Where did you find the update?

 

Ugly way to fix the Battery cover falling issue. Harley service guys failed to solve the issue. At last with hesitation I had to use cable tie.

But problem solved for ever.

Binup

 

Forgot to mention its Iron 883.

Binup

 

My 08 had the same problem. It was brought to my attention by a coworker, who, as luck would have it, lost his cover entirely. I found the clips were not in the proper location. I don't use the tywrap method, but as long as I make sure everything is lined up, it stays secure. If anyone has an extra cover laying around for a 06 sporty........I might know somebody who might know somebody who will take much better care of it then their first one.

 

Same thing on my '14 XL. I noticed that only the rear clip was actually connecting all the way. I almost lost it on I95 one day. Saved it by pulling it off and stuffing it under my jacket.

I rearranged some of the wires and tucked everything in and it's better now. It just needed some more room so the cove would close fully. I walked around the dealer one day and noticed that 1/2 the Sportsters they had in stock were the same...one clip secured.

 

You don't need to zip-tie the cover to the frame, doing that means you need a new zip-tie every time you remove the cover.

Just drill a hole through the front plastic clip large enough for the zip tie to drop down into, but small enough that the head of the zip tie will not. Then if you need to get to the battery or fuse panel, you just pull out the zip tie. No need to cut it off, and just drop it back into the hole when done.

 

Like this. I didn't need to drill the painted part, only the plastic clip. If I leave a little of the zip tie sticking up, I can grab it with my fingers without removing the seat. I used the same zip tie for years. This is an '04 1200 Custom with the first version of the original, crappy clips.

 

There you go, I knew one of the "old timers" would still have pics of how this problem was solved years ago.....

 

Mine just started popping out, it is really annoying. They have had over 110 years to get it right.