cold starting issue

[myronman3]

had my 20 year reunion this weekend, took the scoot. boy oh boy did everyone love the bike, i had complete strangers come up to me and just drool over it.
so i put a ballistic battery in it recently, as there was issues with starting when i hadnt run the bike for a day or two; i would get the "click...start". so i had the battery checked. the mechanic said the old battery was probably good, but having just bought the bike and not knowing how old it was, i opted to put the ballistic in. the first few times i started it, it popped right off. so i figure i am good to go. well....not so fast.
the "click..start" thing happens when it is cold. after the bike is warm, even if ran only for about 3 minutes, that sucker will crank like a madman. but when cold, it has turned into "click................start" and i dont dare go anywhere on it at this point. one started, the bike does runs perfect.
one other key piece of information..... the trip odometer and clock have reset twice now to zero...so i know that there is a loose ground or positive connection in there. i suspect the cables, as in where the terminal connecters are pressed onto the wire. the angle on the cables is different, and putting pressure on the crimp that fastens them together. i have the old battery out there, i am going to put it back in temperarily to see if the problem gets less; if so i will suspect the cable crimp at the battery even more.
i guess due the the difference in starting issue cold and no starting issue when hot, i am wondering if perhaps there is a relay or other connector i should be focusing on.

[myronman3]

and of course, the issue had to happen when i was on the road and away from my tools. the upside is that it did eventually start each time, and did not leave me stranded. [up]

[jimijeans]

Glad you got back ok. When you put in the New Battery did it not come with the [Brass adapters] so the terminals wouldn't pull out OR be at an Angle Once tightened? Those lead Battery Posts will Strip out the Way our Bikes shake.
Yes it could be the Bolts need to be snuged up. Anytime you change to a different kind of Battery Especially Other than Orignal Battery ( YES the Harley One is Overpriced)! Always look in the Box to see if the Proper spacer adapters usually Brass with one side flat are in the Package.
This will keep the Battery Cables OUT far enough so on tightening and not pull AT an Angle so hard on the Cables AND the Battery Posts Threads or NUTs as well. Hope thats all it is.
I would put a Battery Charger on just in case the Possible loose Cables haven't let the Battery get the Full Charge when riding. When the Clock resets from Low Voltage or Loose Cables. Usually the Orignal Harley Battery will Come with those Spacers.
Really a Aftermarket Battery should have those but many times they don't. I can't count the Number of times someones Bike has been here in this shop and I'd have to make those or call the customer to see if they kept the old ones. I hope this will help. *Jimi

[myronman3]

thanks jimi....
this battery didnt come with them. i would have liked to had connectors that kept the angle and pressure off the connections, i moved the cable around and bent them as much as i could to aleiviate pressure on it. they seem to be quite tight.

[myronman3]

it turned out that the trickle charge connections on the battery had to be shined up; they were between the cables and the battery terminals and it was causing clock/trip odometer resets/poor starting. even if the connectors look fine, shine them up with a small file or a good wire brush. i put some di-electric grease on all of the connections and put it all back together, starting from the terminal up...the main cable, the trickle charge wire, nut. that way if there is an issue with the trickle charge connection, it doesnt interfer with my starting or other bike operation.
sometimes i am captain obvious. always start with teh simple stuff first.