Harley Davidson Softail: How to Jump Start Battery
Jump starting a battery is probably something you have seen or done yourself before. The procedure is easy to do, but there are some key steps to ensure your safety.
This article applies to the Harley Davidson Softail.
It's very hard to predict when your battery will quit starting your engine. Many factors are involved, such as battery state of charge, battery age, and starting system condition. A basic pair of jumper cables and a fresh battery are all you need to start your engine. Even better, with some strength, you can push start your motorcycle. No jumper cables required!
Materials Needed
- Jumper cables
- Basic wrench set (8mm-16mm)
- Basic socket set (8mm-16mm)
- Ratchet
- Fresh battery
- Battery terminal cleaner or water/baking soda mixture
- Rubber gloves
- Brush or rag
Step 1 – Locate the battery
Some Softails have a battery charger connector installed from the factory; If yours does, the battery can be charged using this plug without seat removal. Look around and under the seat for the connector.
Your battery is mounted below your seat. You'll need to remove your seat to gain access. There are many seat options available for the Softail, but most are removed similarly. Locate the mounting nuts or bolt(s) around and under the seat. Remove them and gently lift the seat up. Look under the seat with a flashlight to identify any remaining mounting bolts. If your seat has a strap, you'll most likely find one here. Pull the seat up and away from the gas tank.
Figure 1. The battery charger connector. 
Figure 2. This style of seat will have nuts behind the seat. 
Figure 3. This seat style will have a mounting bolt on the front.
Step 2 – Clean the battery terminals
Put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect yourself from harmful battery corrosion. Spray the battery terminals with a terminal cleaner or a water/baking soda mixture. Rub the mixture with a brush or rag. This may cure your no starting problem.
Step 3 – Connect the jumper cables
The good battery can be any 12 volt battery. It can be from another bike, car, or truck. If your using a hybrid or electric vehicle, make sure the battery is 12 volts. Some hybrid/electric vehicle batteries are over several hundred volts. You can identify this type of battery by the orange wiring connected to it. Do not start the vehicle once the cables are connected.
Connect the jumper cables in this order:
- Positive jumper cable to positive post on good battery.
- Positive jumper cable to positive post on dead battery.
- Negative jumper cable to negative post on good battery.
- Negative jumper cable to negative post on your motorcycle's frame. This can be anywhere on the bike with an unpainted or unchromed metal surface.
Installing the cables this way ensures your battery will not explode when a spark occurs, as the negative cable touches your frame. A spark can ignite the gas inside your battery.
Step 4 – Start your motorcycle
Attempt to start your Softail. Leave the jumper cables installed for several minutes while the bike is idling to build a charge. If you don't planning on charging your battery, ride the bike for twenty miles to re-charge the battery. If the battery has been severely discharged, a twenty mile ride may not restore proper operation.
Remove the cables in the reverse order of installation.
Step 5 – Push start your motorcycle
If the jump start method fails, you have another option. Place your bike into second gear and accelerate above ten miles per hour. Hop on the bike, quickly release the clutch, and press the start button. With some luck, it may start up. The trick is to press the start button as soon as the clutch is released. This is the point where maximum torque is applied to the engine and the engine is rotating at the fastest speed.
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