Battery disconnect?

[Saftie]

It happens once in a while that my bike, 2007 xb9, has difficulties starting.
It must have something to do with the battery. It starts up after two seconds and shows typical signs of battery too low.
However the battery is fine. After one of these difficult starts I notice that my trips are reset so I assume there is a lose connection somewhere.
Battery has good voltage and had recently been tested, the ground connections are tight. Are there any hidden grounds I need to check?

Also, can someone tell me what the purple wire does? Looks pretty bad.

Here a pic:

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/14929_20121223071438_L.jpg

[oh9bolt]

I could be wrong but those are your turn signal wires.

[Saftie]

Don't think so. I put different turn signals on a while back and the wires were not purple.

[oh9bolt]

I am 99.9% sure those are the turn signal wires.

[Saftie]

Hmm, let me go and check. I remember orange, brown etc but no purple.

[oh9bolt]

I am not near my bike right now but I swear I have a purple wire for one of the sides.

Either way it sounds like you have a loose connection/ ground and/ or a battery that is on its last leg.

[Saftie]

Yeah, think you're right. Purple looks like one of the turn signals. Was hard to see because the previous owner added so many connectors and the color got lost.

Regarding the loose connection: I checked whatever ground I could find under the seat. Battery terminals are ok too. Strange.
Are there any other connections I need to check?
Have a shop manual and will check later but was hoping I could get an idea while bike was still out.

[Saftie]

Funny thing with the battery is that the bike was sitting for a while and started right up. Taking it for a spin, letting it sit for an hour and it gives me the problem. Next start is ok again.
If it was a bad battery I would assume I saw the same behavior every time but I don't.
That's why I'm thinking connection

[stensg]

Do your lights always work? Might want to check starter wires

[Saftie]

Yes, lights always work, so do all dashboard lights on ignition on. but will check starter wires, thanks. (Just need to find them :) but will check manual)

[mattcreswell]

Tighten & Loctite your battery terminals. I've had this problem

[Saftie]

Had the bike out again.
So it could be starter related.
Ignition on, everything is fine. Only when I press the starter it resets everything.

Also, my headlight did go out while riding.
Not sure if related though. Got a parking ticket and the cop stuffed it in between wind screen and dashboard. Maybe he/she caused a lose connection. Grrrr

[g3stripes]

i had 03 bolt that did similar thing , clock and trips would reset but bike started and ran fine , everyone kept saying battery so after awhile i changed batt and it did cure problem,cant really explain it but......

[Saftie]

Hmm. Will try with new battery. Yeah, bike runs well, no issues there.
But now it's the light. Ugh, never seems to end...
Will also check starter wires I guess

[sicsteeth]

I was searching for a bad ground for the longest time...then touching the seat rails with a screwdriver sparked!!!! Damn exhaust actuator had been runnin against the frame fraying wires so I killed it an left the valve open in the muffler. Long annoying story short, check ur exhaust actuator lead from the top of your air box to the port under the seat. Just to be sure then check behind ur windscreen...:D

[Saftie]

Well, I found the lose connection on the headlight. So that mystery is solved. Still unclear about the starting issue - but haven't had time to check :D

I guess I'll just have the mechanic figure this one out. Started losing more oil. The rear header gasket. Knew about it but seems to be getting worse. I'll drop it off soon and have everything fixed. Darn time issues these days. If they say "time is money" then they should also say "no time costs you money"

[vtech007]

Replace battery.