Trike won't start

[rwhgme]

Had my trike on the HD trickle charger. Went out, disconnected it. Tried to start it. Tried to fire but didn't. Dealer will be trucking it to their shop. Had been getting a lazy start but did not have it on the charger. Also has an oil burning smell. BTW, about 3 months ago I left the main switch on and totally drained the battery. I bought the bigger charger and it took almost 3 full days to recharge the battery. Sounds like a dead cell to me...what say you?

 

[trikermutha]

yea that trickle charger did the same to me but managed to get it started.. killing the battery is not good..

 

[screwball]

Deja vu all over again! 4 year old battery, started cranking slowly. Trip to breakfast and left the ignition on. KAPUT battery. My shame 20 amp charger brought her back, but still cranked slowly. Hundred bucks later and she starts just fine.

 

[Gorilla]

Yep Battery

 

[Lakeman]

I have a one year old HD battery and it has started to act up. It will turn over once and completely stop then turn it over and crank. Told my dealer but it was warm then and cranked fine. Not good for a $186 battery!

 

[KindaOldTriker]

I seem to see that MC batterys, mowers, etc. have a 4 yr life normally, even w/ trickle chargers attached..
Kinda like my 5-yr warranty water tanks for my well water....27 yrs...4th tank.

 

[bustedwing]

Really the only way to tell is to load test it. Age sometimes dont mean much but vibration does as it shakes lead from the plates and it gathers at the bottom of the cells that is how the plates short out between each other, then you have a dead cell. If you can pad a battery it may help save some life. The mat batteries handle vibration better but cost more.

 

[Rick Kay]

I'm a big fan of the HD AGM batteries. I've gotten 5 years from one that was in my old softail. That's really good, as the bike vibrates like a paint shaker, and the batery is surrounded on 3 sides by hot oil. I've had nothing but these batteries since.

 

[donjack]

My 2011 trike did the same thing, have a new one, no problems now.

 

[rwhgme]

Dealer jumped it to put it on the trailer. Will fix it Monday. Don't know what the oil smell is yet, though!

 

[trikermutha]

man finding all kinds of leaks on mine..1st the oil pan bolts loose then the trans.side bolts now something else I havent checked just yet since winter is setting in..got a winter list going..

 

[Tripacer1]

just and FYI
have been doing a little snooping around and found out that HD batteries are made bye a Battery Co called East Penn here in the USA
they just started selling a HD battery that is a dead Ringer for the OEM battery through NAPA auto parts the only difference is the color of the case its Gray instead of Black (was told this was because HD would not alow them to make it Black) this thing is even has the plastic holder for the bolts and little spacers (if Needed) you can mount it either on the side or Top and now that HD gets almost $190 if you can sweat talk the NAPA counter man he should be able to sell it for $135
the one for my 02 Ultra with Roadsmith conversion was Part # ETX30 dont get this battery mixed up with the Import style Battery this is a SEALED UNIT just put it in and your good to go ( i would always suggest a little Charge like 2amp for 12 to top it off)

 

[Sloufoot]

If you are planning on keeping the bike for any length of time, and don't want break down on the road somewhere, your best buy is a glass mat(AGM) battery ! They stand up to heat, cold, vibration, & charging sessions much better than the standard battery.
The vibration isn't what causes the sulfating with the plates, it is charging & discharging cycles. The vibration will cause the cadmium plates to break apart. Very little lead used in batteries compared to 25-30 years ago.
Also if you over draw a battery it causes heat, & warping of the plates.

 

[msocko3]

just and FYI
have been doing a little snooping around and found out that HD batteries are made bye a Battery Co called East Penn here in the USA
they just started selling a HD battery that is a dead Ringer for the OEM battery through NAPA auto parts the only difference is the color of the case its Gray instead of Black (was told this was because HD would not alow them to make it Black) this thing is even has the plastic holder for the bolts and little spacers (if Needed) you can mount it either on the side or Top and now that HD gets almost $190 if you can sweat talk the NAPA counter man he should be able to sell it for $135
the one for my 02 Ultra with Roadsmith conversion was Part # ETX30 dont get this battery mixed up with the Import style Battery this is a SEALED UNIT just put it in and your good to go ( i would always suggest a little Charge like 2amp for 12 to top it off)

I'm running the same battery in my 06 Ultra, it turns the 120 over with the stock starter easily. I bought it from this place Big Crank ETX30L Battery - Free Shipping: BatteryMart.com for $99.95 with free shipping.

 

[kimber45]

I'm running the same battery in my 06 Ultra, it turns the 120 over with the stock starter easily. I bought it from this place Big Crank ETX30L Battery - Free Shipping: BatteryMart.com for $99.95 with free shipping.

I bought mine from Big Crank too. Perfect fit.

 

[Sloufoot]

I'm running the same battery in my 06 Ultra, it turns the 120 over with the stock starter easily. I bought it from this place Big Crank ETX30L Battery - Free Shipping: BatteryMart.com for $99.95 with free shipping.

That has to be a best buy !! Great AGM battery ! :Trike1: