I was out riding my sportster cruising about 30 mph and all of a sudden the bike bogged out and completely turned off. Got to the side of the road and it wouldn't start back up. Everything has power, it tries to start, but won't turn over.


I've checked the battery wires at the terminals. I just changed the plugs and still no start.

What else should I be checking?

 

Do you have the stop/run switch set to run?

 

Yes I do

 

Battery relay switch?

 

You need to do a systematic run down of the starter circuit, Have you check the voltage of the battery? That is the first thing to check.
Are you getting a click, and where is it?
Can you hear the starter trying to engage?

 

Checked the voltage it is at 12.

When I hit the start switch the starter engages and the bike sounds like it wants to start for about a half second. But it will not start and keeps trying as long as I hold the switch.

 

12 volts is a dead battery, at least it's dead enough that it won't start the bike. A fully charged battery should measure 12.7 - 12.8 volts.

Charge the battery, then check the voltage across the battery with the bike running at a "fast" idle. You should measure 13.5 - 14.8 VDC if the stator and regulator are functioning properly.

Also, how old is the battery?

 

Yep what he said.

 

I had the battery on a trickle charge all weekend and now it is at 12.7. Bike still won't start up though. I asked the previous owner and he said the battery is a few years old.

With a fully charged battery it still tries starting but the engine won't turn over. I'm starting to think it may not be getting spark, but not sure how to check for that.

 

Your batter needs replacement - it doesn't have enough voltage to crank the starter up.

Like cars you have to replace battery every couple of years.