Electrical Issues

[brokencycle]

I recently was having problems with the speedometer not working and there often was clicking when I tried starting. It would start, but reset the clock (and you could see the speedometer resweep). Occasionally, it would also just go totally dead when trying to start. A slight wiggle of the negative battery wire would resolve this.

This weekend, I noticed one of the frame screws that holds the battery tray in place was not actually holding it in place. When I fixed that, it resolved the speedometer issue and seemed to resolve the starting issue. Plus it seemed to be running better in general.

Tonight, I noticed the headlights and instrument panel dimming a bit then coming back to full intensity. The starter issue also returned briefly -- it reset the clock when I pressed the starter, but then started. I also noticed I could reliably get the dimming to occur if I was at a stop and just let the clutch out slightly with no gas (like if you were just going to creep up a bit).

I think it almost has to be a loose connection somewhere, but I suppose it could be a bad voltage regulator. I have noticed that the end of the negative battery wire is exposed for perhaps a millimeter or so near the terminal, but I don't think it is touching anything. I replaced the battery this spring, and I normally keep the bike on a tender.

tl;dr version:

05 Lightning XB9SX with ~10k miles.

*Intermittent electrical issues, particularly sometimes going dead on starting
*Prior issue of non-working speedometer appears fixed by resecuring the battery tray.
*New battery

Mods:
*Dual headlight on high beam
*Buell race computer
*K&N air filter
*Jardine exhaust

 

[Shawns]

It very well could be the regulator. You also could have a stator issue. I would meter the battery and see if you are seeing it charge. You can buy an inexpensive meter and mount it by your cluster to tell what voltage your are at while riding. I put one on my buddies bike, think it was around $10.

 

[djs2k2]

Also make sure that big metal ground strap under your seat is tight I had some of the same problems, right after I rotated my motor out to put in my rocker box gaskets, and didn't tighten strap enough.

 

[user_deleted]

brokencycle: good info above and work the problem step by step. assuming you have a fully charged top quality battery the problem should easily be narrowed down to either failed charging circuit component or the "77" connector plug behind the front pulley cover. dirt or corrosion or simply arcing from natural aging process can affect this connector. google "buell xb 77 connector" for a ton of info on this item and/or refer to link below. if you find it is faulty H-D offers a retrofit repair kit part # Y1312.02A8
i suspect yours is a simple charging issue. use these specs and a quality voltmeter to check charging system and make certain both battery cable to terminal connections are very tight and pristine. hope this helps.
fully charge battery: 12.2-12.5 volts at rest.....ignition off
engine running at approx. 2500rpm: 13.5-14.5 volts DC
engine running at approx. 2500 rpm: stator output of approx. 45-52 volts AC

 

[g3stripes]

grounds are often more of a problem than anything. even if a connection looks good I have found that it can still be at fault. make sure all are clean and tite and clean and tite

 

[thrstrmech]

grounds[up], recheck your grounds on either side of the battery, then check the nut on the back side of the starter and the connector on the side of the starter as well...all good info given above, let us know if any changes after you check on the before mentioned things to do

 

[kabuell]

that old 77 connector is evil[mad]

 

[brokencycle]

Update. I thought I would take the battery out, check all the connections and clean as necessary.

The positive terminal of the battery was 90% missing. There was also some minor corrosion (more like oxidation actually) on the connectors and the battery mounting tray. The battery was just outside warranty. Stupid 9 month warranties.

New battery is charging, and I'm going to clean everything tomorrow.