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[The Mysterious Q!]

Well once again I get ready for my Sunday ride and I pull the bike out of the garage, go to start it and shes cranking real labored. I just replaced the damn battery two weeks ago. So as I crank it over I see some smoke billowing out by my nether regions. I'm like "What the f*&k is this chit" So I turn of the ignition, remove the seat to find my positive terminal melted right thru. I proceed to call my west coast mechanical advisors,BB and Beags to run me thru some possible causes. Voltage regulator,stator,solenoid or starter. I finish up with them and go get my multi meter to start to find the problem. Battery is fine, stator is fine. All wires to solenoid tight and fine. I jury rig the positive lead to the remains of the lead post and hit the start button and walla she fires right up. I was thinking that the positive cable was loose and the arcing from me trying to start it caused my melt down. I checked the negative and it was loose so I figured that was the deal. I previously replaced the battery with a Drag Specialties POS and the terminals are these 1/8 inch thick upside down u's that you need a spacer and slide some square nut behind it to tighten up your terminals. I guess it must have vibrated loose while I was out last time. So with the bike running I did the rest of my diagnostic tests and everything was fine. So I boxed up the battery and I will proceed to get a HD battery with the solid posts on it so my Sunday rides don't get ruined anymore. Especially seeing that next Sunday it's off to Hoist's for our Memorial Day Over the Pond GTG! Sorry for the rant but I had to do it.  Later,Q

[Chief]

Well once again I get ready for my Sunday ride and I pull the bike out of the garage, go to start it and shes cranking real labored. I just replaced the damn battery two weeks ago. So as I crank it over I see some smoke billowing out by my nether regions. I'm like "What the f*&k is this chit" So I turn of the ignition, remove the seat to find my positive terminal melted right thru. I proceed to call my west coast mechanical advisors,BB and Beags to run me thru some possible causes. Voltage regulator,stator,solenoid or starter. I finish up with them and go get my multi meter to start to find the problem. Battery is fine, stator is fine. All wires to solenoid tight and fine. I jury rig the positive lead to the remains of the lead post and hit the start button and walla she fires right up. I was thinking that the positive cable was loose and the arcing from me trying to start it caused my melt down. I checked the negative and it was loose so I figured that was the deal. I previously replaced the battery with a Drag Specialties POS and the terminals are these 1/8 inch thick upside down u's that you need a spacer and slide some square nut behind it to tighten up your terminals. I guess it must have vibrated loose while I was out last time. So with the bike running I did the rest of my diagnostic tests and everything was fine. So I boxed up the battery and I will proceed to get a HD battery with the solid posts on it so my Sunday rides don't get ruined anymore. Especially seeing that next Sunday it's off to Hoist's for our Memorial Day Over the Pond GTG! Sorry for the rant but I had to do it.  Later,Q

Glad you figured it out and were able to get out and salvage the ride.

[The Mysterious Q!]

Couldn't salvage the ride because the post was melted away on one side. I was only able to get it started by rigging it up. But at least I will get out this week and next weekend for Memorial Day. I still need to go and get my HD replacement battery though. Later,Q

[RJ749]

The Interstate Battery I just put in the DWG has that slide nut POS set up.  I think I'm checking the connections again.

Didn't like the way it went in on the install beut got it tight.  I wouldn't want to be stuck on the road with the problem you had at home Q.

Mmmmm, well chit, I'll take my chances, I don't go far and hardly ride the bar bike anyway.  Thanks for the heads up on this issue though.  HD batts from now on.

[hd-dude]

Q, if your cable and battery were hot enought to melt away the lead on the battery you may want to consider replacing the cables as well. They have most likely been comprimised due to the excessive heat.


I have recommended HD batteries since they switched to the gel cell versions. They are good quality and last a long time with a tender on them.