Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods heres a good one...

so after a week of no riding, I just pulled my BA out and turned the key...the lights came on but when I hit the button.."Click" and all went dead. I suspect a battery or possibly ignition, as I had a hard time getting the key out afterwards, any suggestions before I tear her apart?

I checked all the fuses beside ignition, theyre all good to go. The bike os completely dead, no lights, horn- the only emotion being shown in my garage is my panicked whimpering....

ah yes.. the she won't start after the ole airbox removed gig. Never happens right after the mod. But after a few miles..
Your lights came on so the battery is OK. But tighten the battery terminals just to be safe.
With all that movin around that went on in there during the airbox removal the back side of the fuse box takes a beating.
Check the 30A fuse to be sure it wasn't knocked loose OR check the harness entering the back of the fuse box. You may have pulled out the 30A wire to the fuse box.
I have seen this 20+ times.
Doug

Tahnks for the info doug, unfortunatly I checked all those, I even stuck a volt meter in the socket for the fuses. I got a reading of 12.53 with the key on and 0 with it off in the 30a battery, so I assume that the ignition is working correctly now and power is at least getting as far as the fuses.

What's the voltmeter read when you're trying to start it? The "click" is the solenoid throwing so chances are your battery's toast. Get a charger and give it a good recharge, if it doesn't hold the charge get a new one. They're only good for 18-24 months anyway.

ok, i figured it out...upon further investigation i found that my battery was shorting itself out on the bracket of my new cold air kit. A simple fix- just wrapped electrical tape around the battery cable some more. The snag that I did hit however was that the stress on the plastic coverpeice (left side, provides mounts for chrome cheese graters) had cracked in three peices. So now, I either need to- A: find a new one B: jury-rig the one I have or my favorite C: fabricate something new. Any suggestions?

I'd like to see the cold air kit...

its just the standard airbox removal kit from brtish-customs. still want a picture?

negative. You a Boozefighter? I have some frineds with Lone Star Independants. I've been a guest at some of their parties and done some chairity rides with them. Boozefighters are usually there, too. A few Bandito's too, but they usually have a beer and head out. Good people and always a good time.

Peace~

No, I'm not, it just so happens that "The wild one" is one of my favorite movies and I know it was based off of the boozefighters. I would love to be a member, but as far as I know, they're are no chapters in FL. And with me being in the Air Force, I travel alot- not alot of time to devot to a group. Oh well, maybe some day.

I would like to see some pictures of the setup.

I went with Brents Freak Kit and everything was pre-dilled and thread and matched up with the original covers, everything just snaped together and bolted right in.

Something has to be going on with thier design and the battery box there should be no stress points here or undo pressure you could split the battery case if it is not sitting in there right, plus the cables should be in position that you would never need to wrap them with electrical tape to prevent shorthing.

If the design is such that you need to protect the battery cable. I would put two or three layers of shrink wrap over the cable where oit might come in contcat with the frame plus I would super glue a piece of rubber at the point where the cable and frame would meet.