Darn shadow

[Nonstop89]

Well i would have posted this another place, where it belongs but for some reason you have to make three posts before your a real member or something a good buddy of mine recently bought a 88 800 shadow, for the age im actually impressed with the shape the bike is in and the get up and go it has. Being a harley guy myself

Anyways when we went to pick it up it ran and started right up, we loaded it in the truck as it was raining which isent the greatest combo for lifing a 500lb bike into a lifted truck. Once we got it home and out of the truck he rode it agin down the street and back. Then it was into the garage to remove some stuff that didnt look to good on there, windshield and those horribal tail lights off the back.

Went to start the bike and nothing, click click click dead battery right? But how? The thing was cranking no issue a hr before that. When i removed the rear turn signals i snipped the wires and taped them off no exposed copper, not touching metal or eachother i double checked to make sure. The bike sat overnight OFF KEY OUT and by that afternoon the headlight was wayy dim. Batterys draining when the bikes off?

I just wrote a book, so sorry but were trying to get this guy riding and im pretty sure these are the older style batts where you change the acid out. Any input would help greatly. Perhaps a shadow secret? Haha

Thanks guys!

[gat803]

Until you've load tested the battery to see if it's any good, you're wasting your time. After that a multi-meter is your friend when chasing electrical gremlins. If the battery tests ok, it's time to check to see if the stator is functioning properly. Past that, look at the last thing you did....

[finjoey]

The guy may have install a charged battery just show it starts and ran...if it wasn't charging right and the battery was week...that would explain why it didn't start the next day...put a charge on the batter...take a reading with a muiltimeter at idle...than at 3000 rpm's to see if it goes up to 13 or 14...I'm thinking regulator...check the regulator connection to see if it has been changed or melted...good luck

[Nonstop89]

Thanks for the replies guys, ill let you know what we find.

[Nonstop89]

Originally Posted by finjoey

The guy may have install a charged battery just show it starts and ran...if it wasn't charging right and the battery was week...that would explain why it didn't start the next day...put a charge on the batter...take a reading with a muiltimeter at idle...than at 3000 rpm's to see if it goes up to 13 or 14...I'm thinking regulator...check the regulator connection to see if it has been changed or melted...good luck

The guy said he just put a new regulator. And battery. Haha new to hime 5 years ago perhaps?

There is no way for the turn signals to cause this? Removing them from the rear of the bike? I wouldnt think so but have to wonder as the bike was fine untill removing the rear turn signals. Weirdest thing at the same time, i dont trust that batt. Thanks for the reply