Doc Harley Talks: September's Do's n' Don'ts

By popular demand, Doc returns with more 'Do's n' Don'ts' for your Harley-Davidson.
#harleydavidson #harley #docharley #motorcycles #motorcyclereview #tips

[@larrys.3992]

Been riding over 30 years and never had a battery tender. I would bump start my dresser down my driveway until one day. I went to bump start and the bike took off down the driveway with me hanging on and one foot on a peg. As fast as the bike took off, it stopped. I went flying into the windshield braking my eye glasses in half and cutting the bridge of my nose. Lesson learned. Bought a battery tender. Over 20 years injury free!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Great story Larry. Thanks for taking the time to share...Doc

[@andrewbaggley276]

As someone who recently picked up an '03 1200, I was thinking that starting the thing on a weekly basis - while I saved up to get the helmet and gloves (YES, I know I should have picked those up first, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity) - would keep the thing running. It won't start now and your explanation here fits my suspicions perfectly. Thank you so much for passing this trove of knowledge on to a mechanical amateur.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

May your life be filled with adventure…Doc

[@PitbullSoco]

Get a lithium jump start pack. Super small to keep in tour pack or saddlebag and gives it the amount of power it needs without going overboard. Works for bikes, cars, trucks etc.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for the tips!...Doc

[@jimmyp6443]

Doc ,I don't have any of these issues on my 64 ,it has a magneto ,she always gets home !

[@james6275]

That is funny with the oversize channel locks🤣 Thank you Doc

[@williwichtig9344]

Hi Doc, once again thanks for the Tipps and many greetings from the other side of the Ocean. Harry from Germany

[@smiley4288]

Awesome Doc….thanks 🤘😎🤘

[@miketodd8640]

Again, great stuff. For those that have Lithium Ion batteries make sure you have the correct charger.

[@markhowitt6422]

Doc Yous rock. God Bless you.

[@daviddunn5264]

Thanks Doc 👍 always appreciated !!!

[@cjmueller5455]

Wow! Whirlwind of info. I wouldn’t have thought of that Loctite deal, but as always, your explanation was 100% on the money. Thank you! The do and don’t format is very useful!

[@gregking7926]

I have used a Battery Tender Jr on every bike I have owned.

[@KainamHD]

I use a quarter to remove the turn signal lens caps.

[@dougfresh1341]

Good stuff. Reminiscent of my Dad chewing me out. 😁 My .02 is don't let a battery tender tell you a battery is bad. If you run a battery into the ground and the Tester says it's toast. Connect the tender to a good battery. Then jumper from that battery to the bottomed-out battery. After a while connect the tender straight to the "bad" battery and it will finish bringing it back to life. Had two batteries like this that have lasted long time. One got this way because like Doc said, the big entertainment/amp center was killing it.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing your tech tip.... Doc

[@garyzanghi9272]

I have one of those old battery tenders I bought about 15 years ago and it's still up and running. Although it did need some repair. Wasn't a big deal, just a little little tiny part still works great. Thanks for the info though. Really appreciate your videos

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you….Doc

[@ASeanCurry]

That 5A battery tender is the Noco Genius 5... much cheaper than the Harley badged one 🙂... very good bit of kit tho 👍

[@KainamHD]

Yup, I found that out too. Looks like the MoCo went to NoCo for the new battery tenders, boost packs, and the Gen 2 Lithium batteries.

[@scottlin777]

I hook up my battery tender at home when I don't ride for 3 or more days. My last bike battery lasted about 8 yrs and I credit keeping a tender on it. Pro tip. When changing a light bulb make sure it's cooled down. More than once I have touched a hot bulb and got a blister

[@georgeparker7108]

Thanks Doc keep up with the great work.

[@roadglide1142]

Good advice! Thanks 🙏

[@Tomcat8911]

Love the thread sealer info...goes for all vehicles..when doubt use a tap doesn't take long.😄👍

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I prefer a thread chaser just on the chance I am working without my glasses. Taps cut right or wrong angle.,....Doc

[@annafraley5388]

Love it, Doc. ✅ Plus, those battery tender pigtail’s have a small fuse in them, usually a 2 or 5 amp and will blow on even s small 6amp charger.

[@ephrammaker3153]

These mini tips are great! Keep it up Doc!

[@randybard224]

Just a note One of the best tool I own is a thread chaser set To clean out the holes then blow out with air Side note make sure a blind hole is free of any liquid before threading a bolt in Don’t ask how I know that !!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

A great tech tip Randy.....Doc

[@stlchuckhd]

Great tips Doc! Thank you

[@brettcreech3490]

Thanks Doc

[@pcontiman]

Great tips doc. Had my bike on the standard green label battery tender for two years while I was away. Fired right up and had been stout for the last 2 months without.

[@francis105G]

THANK YOU Doc Harley...Good Information!!

[@mikehowarth6165]

Great video doc,here in England we use a brand of battery tender called optimate, excellent, and I have a moto batt. 21amp,battery on my softail deluxe, excellent battery ,made in usa, best wishes mike 🇬🇧

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for watching our videos from England....Doc

[@Big88Country]

Thanks Doc! You still The Man!!

[@bradduffield2860]

Thanks Doc. I'm a big fan and user of battery tender. Plus now I know to clean the old thread off the bolts before applying the new.

[@palmettolowlife1996]

Check out Noco gbx 45 and their cables are better sometimes them tenders appear to be working but aren’t

[@rykerolaoghaire8781]

Thank you Doc! I always appreciate your time and knowledge 🙏

[@PaideHarley]

Great infos! Thanks!!!!

[@Grunt49]

Thx Doctor

[@CJ-yb1df]

Hi Doc, It is possible that the tow truck was 24v and not 12v like a Harley

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Doc. Great tips that will prove useful.

[@michaellaughery6411]

Thanks for all the videos/info. Doc is the best!

[@tobypaone3426]

Great video this week! Thanks, Doc!

[@robedmunds7163]

Just great

[@thomasfoltz4932]

A quarter fits the turn signal cover almost perfect if a screw driver isn't handy.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for the tip....Doc

[@martincvitkovich724]

Comment question on Locktight. If locktight was used on a fastener that first was torqued to the lowside of the torque specs, then later when the rider rechecks his fasteners, sets the torque wrench to the high side of the torque specs... will that cause the locktight to be useless if the fastener turns?/?

[@genebulford8636]

As always Doc great Infoe thanks again I always listen to your infoe an I remind a lot of new riders to look you up an pay attention too what you say. Have a great weekend Doc

[@mrpink1216]

Always good info keep on keeping on Doc.

[@oldamerican8070]

Thanks again Doc. Great video.

[@tomlaroche8148]

Excellent advise, as always Doc! Thanks!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks Tom...Doc

[@dtork47]

Great, really appreciated. Keep ‘um coming! Thanks

[@mpista7182]

Nuggets of knowledge Thanks Doc !!

[@palmettolowlife1996]

Noco GBX 45 battery maintainer/jump starter is the awesome. Just hook up their noco cable to your battery and you can jump it really easily in a hard spot. Just plugs right in and push a button and will give it juice to start

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing...Doc

[@detroitbloodrunsinme8194]

Doc your the only person I allow to yell at me, u and my mother. Will do everything as you say

[@lucasthadeu83]

Great! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@WhiskyJackR]

Thanks for the video. Could you do one where you actually jump start a Modern Touring bike. I am told it’s fine to pick up the live connection at the starter motor and then earth off the frame/engine. So far I haven’t had to jump start my bike but would love for you to walk us through it.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for the suggestion....Doc

[@joohat]

I have had to do this only once and had no issues. The donor vehicle was not running, and the hot lug from the starter and a chassis ground was super easy to access. I would love to know the “official motor company” line on jump starting this way with a jump pack or donor battery.

[@roadkingjim3818]

Outstanding video doc, and yes I learned something today about jump-starting, see even after riding and wrenching for 51yrs and old dog can still learn new tricks 👍

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I truely appreciate an Old Dog like you watching our videos...Doc

[@cubstercubman6158]

Hey Doc. I enjoy your videos very much and learn a lot. I learned the hard way about jumping my 2014 Street Glide from my jeep. I fried the ECM, but was lucky that is all I did. It cost me a tow from my home to the Black Hills Harley Davidson and over $800 for ECM and labor. I did read owners manual, but if I am not mistaken, it didn't say not to have the vehicle not running. It was a expensive repair. Hell of a way to learn something..

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

In my career I have "learned" through my wallet several times...Doc

[@KainamHD]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson It's "tuition".

[@meandkathinkihei]

When I rebuilt my 91 FLHTC down to the frame and new S&S V111, the most used tool was my Thread Chaser Set. Even today I ALWAYS chase the threads of old locktite anytime I take out a bolt.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Awesome....Doc

[@matthiasmuller2203]

Can’t wait for October 😊 Great, thanks a lot!

[@paulmorrison1009]

Great tips 👌 Doc

[@freddie_ray1498]

Great topic Doc, I purchased a Scoche jump box for my Harley after watching a review on Cruiseman's Garage (yes I watch things about GoldWings) I purchased the adapter from Amazon so I can use my tender with the cable, No need to remove seat to jump battery. Best investment that I ever did.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Contact me through my Email. I would like more information...Doc

[@birchwhitehd]

Doc… 2022 tri glide ultra, live up north in NH I have a winter storage question… Do I need to remove my battery for winter storage or will a battery tender keep it charged up so it doesn’t freeze, I don’t have heated storage, in the past with other Harley’s I just removed the battery and used battery tender with my battery sitting on my kitchen table, lol The 2022 tri glide manual says I don’t need to remove the battery for winter storage….. is the new 5a trickle charger a good choice for my storage needs?? Thanks

[@tailgunnerdenis3331]

Hi my friend. I’m up in Canada and I have 3 Harley’s on tenders all winter/not heated garage/and all the batteries have been fine. I do have another with a lithium battery and that battery comes inside for the winter. Lithium batteries do not like to sit in the cold on a charger. They don’t charge as well in minus temps. Hope this helps.

[@birchwhitehd]

Thank you

[@d1mennis]

If you try and jump start your bike usung the battery tender you will blow the 1amp fuse. Also I leave my bikes on a battery tender for 24 hours then take them off. Then in a couple of days before I put them back on the charger I start the bike and shut it off right away to bring down the voltage so the tender knows it has to work. If you turn on the tender with a fully charged battery it won't charge the battery.

[@joemesserhd1]

Another great video Doc and thank you for the info on the New Harley Davidson Battery Tender…. I’ll probably be getting one of those !

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Great....Doc

[@ericjames7680]

You should make also a video showing the Harley battery pack that you can use to jump start the bike and how it can be attached to the starter and not the battery. Also note that if you have a Lithium battery, this battery pack is not recommended.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Good points Eric. In my opinion, I would rather take the time to jump at the battery....Doc

[@ericjames7680]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson This is why I was wishing for you to make a video on the Harley jumper product. This way you could perhaps explain your reasoning for taking all the time to jump at the battery when it would take but moments to jump at the starter? I do not understand why and if there is a good reason for you to suggest to jump at the battery instead, it would be well worth it for everyone to know why. Thanks!!

[@michaelblandina7405]

Doc, Would you suggest cleaning out the threaded hole as well as the screw threads of LocTite?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

YES…..Doc

[@stevehoppenjan]

Another great video Doc! Keep 'em coming. I do have one thing to mention though. I have what looks like the same battery tender that you said would not keep up the charge for a modern touring bike. It says Super Smart Battery Tender 120V @ 60Hz and 12V @750mA. I have used it since my first bike, a 2006 Street Glide and four touring models later, continue to use it on my current 2019 Road Glide Ultra. Plug in the bike when I am not going to ride for a few days AND for 4-5 months during winter in indoor cold storage. Have done this without a single issue at all. Have I just been lucky?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

No, I failed to read that it was an updated Super..Thanks for the correction...Doc

[@kennethanderson1685]

Always great content

[@jonathanmarquez2148]

GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS

[@bigj200016]

Good tips doc. Not sure if you follow any of the other KZbin tech guys, but John Maxwell, aka The Harley Tech did a video a couple years ago on how to jump a motorcycle, including covering some of the jump packs out there. And it’s my preference to just replace the battery terminal bolts when I change the battery. Doesn’t cost all that much and you don’t have to worry about Loctite on it.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for sharing Jeremy....Doc

[@westieBrucedavidson]

Hey doc I have a.85 flh project bike then i had a stroke so she has been sitting. On carpet no battery of course and have just started on brakes fluid etc Can you do a video on the way to get motor lubed to turn over before initial fire up please I had a mate years ago sprayed petrol down the carb yeah of course cleaned the bore and wrecked the rings Might be helpful Cheers mate your a legend in new Zealand

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Wow! all the way in New Zealand. Thanks for the suggestion. In the mean time, before firing up, spark plugs out, rotate motor with starter 15 seconds. keep watching the oil pressure light. repeat till the light goes out. Spark plugs in. run bike for 1 min. shut down to cool. repeat for 2 the 3 min. check oil level. go for a light ride....Doc

[@omarrueben]

As always, Doc, your second to none. When using a jump starter getting to the starter post is tight and sometimes the area is hot. I use a flatten piece of copper tubing, a couple inches long, and clamp it in the positive clamp. Easier to make a connection and safer

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Take pictures and send to my Email address....Doc

[@tarmak968]

Great advise! Thanks!!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks Tar...Doc

[@tarmak968]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Purchased a new 5 Amp HD Charger on your recommendation-Thanks!

[@nguoisatvetpath3601]

Great video!! Thanks!! Could you comment on the use of Backup Portable Jump Starters like the NOCO Boost. Do you have experience using one of the portable jump starters using the positive terminal of the starter and frame ground?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

At rallies and on the road I have used a portable jumper. and Yes the Starter post for positive and frame for negative. BUT I would rather remove what I need to do get to the battery....Doc

[@michelsarao8208]

good job, thank you

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you Michael for watching....Doc

[@davidfowler2124]

Doc..Can we use the rechargeable portable jumper boxes ? Thanks

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Yes you can following instructions and being careful……Doc

[@phillee3385]

Hey doc should I be using a battery tender even if I ride my 19 streetglide everyday.

[@johnbodo]

Pointless If you don't use the bike for short runaround

[@royogden2536]

Hey Doc, I've got a 2012 softail heritage classic with a 103 and 6 speed transmission and it has started leaking oil from the clutch lever. Any suggestions on why it is pushing oil from the transmission all the way up the clutch cable and out the lever? Thanks for all your videos man I enjoy watching them. 👍😎👍

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Insects love to build homes in the small breather tube on top of the transmission cover. Worse senerio is the seal behind the compensator and stator is cut and allowing pressure from engine to pressurize the primary....Doc

[@royogden2536]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks for replying Doc, right after I sent that I thought "I wonder if there is a vent line that comes of the transmission" and went and looked and sure enough found a dirt dobber had plugged it up with mud. It was tough to get to but got it cleaned out and went for a ride and didn't have oil on my clothes when I got back. O nce again Thank you Doc for all your great videos and the reply. Stay safe and keep the rubber side down.

[@jondoe8816]

Can you have tenders on 24/7. Or have them switched to turn on and off in 24h ? Just one day I could smell the acid in the air as I had 4 on trickle charge at once. And I did have a flat battery once tender was green light but didn’t start. So I changed it with a small charger and had no problem again but I did start to switch my trickle charger after that episode too. Thanks doc Harley from Australia

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

How old are your tenders? Most modern updated tenders have a small computer chip that monitors batteries so keeping it to a battery is good. A tender has a hard time charging up a almost dead battery. The smell of acid is not good. Check condition of batteries and possibly test each battery with tender with a meter to see if you have a rogue tender that is over charging.....Doc

[@jondoe8816]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson over 5 years but not Harley ones 1.6 amp

[@munciebill8674]

If you installed a Lithium Iron battery, be sure your battery tender is built for it.

[@oldmanjim2376]

Starting to think a good idea would be to make a sticker to put on your motorcycle battery, or somewhereclose that says "Caution: do NOT jump start from a running car/truck"

[@beauxdutaman7450]

good info doc, tnx also can you do a video of cleaining the front break lever? would it be the same as the clutch lever ?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I thought I covered this years ago. Maybe not...Doc

[@beauxdutaman7450]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson i havent seen a video for cleaining the front break lever im thinking its about the same as cleaning the clutch lever.

[@roadglide1745]

Use a penny to pop lense off. Keep one in my handle bar bag. Keep shiny side up

[@scottpike7836]

Let my 21 Ultra go dead (no sec flash, lights, etc). Bought new 2A tender. Set for AGM and it indicated battery was chargeable by pulsating red light. Should have changed to green at 75% but after 48 hrs, still pulsating red. Disconnected and all systems worked. Q: Did 48 hrs at 2A (presumably) damage my battery... and/or is charger defective?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

It take forever for a 2 amp to fully recover a battery...Doc

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

Happy fricker Sept 🤣🛴🛴🛴

[@stephenbodholdt4326]

Amen👍🇺🇸

[@paulgarcia4473]

Doc can you do some videos on VRODS?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I will try....Doc

[@dougrobison1209]

Hey Doc. Another great video! One question. Is it ok to charge the battery on the battery tender cables? Pulling my seat off to attach a charger is a pain in the @$$. I usually put a tender on it but if I forget it might need more juice after a couple weeks.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Yes! I keep my bike hooked up to a battery tender every night...Doc

[@trevorhall9524]

Great tips as always. Whats your tipple Doc?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Tipple?....Doc

[@pd6569]

Thanks doc, I appreciate this video. I am not a mechanic but want to care for my Ride. Do you recommend using the tender if the bike is not being used for a few days? Be and ride safe.

[@oldmanjim2376]

It's a good idea to put it on if you're not riding for a few days.

[@stevekwall925]

does some hardware you get from the dealer already have lock tight on them ?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Yes....Doc

[@robertnewman7701]

Is a HD battery tender that charges at 75ma sufficient for a stock 2020 street bob?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

I have been told they have improved this model and it should be sufficient....Doc

[@macwiller2105]

Question, I just bought a Battery Tender and it has 2 meters 6v & 12v. Which setting do I use for the winter? What's the difference between the two?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Your tender can serve boats, small motors, motorcycles, cars too. some have 6 volt batteries and some 12volt. A Harley-Davidson after 1965 uses 12 volts....Doc

[@macwiller2105]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson awesome, thank you Doc.. 👍and yes, it's a 22 Freewheeler.. I'm in Ontario Canada and it's getting to that point where it hibernates for the winter 😥

[@schachat01]

Thanks Doc for another set of great tech tips. I have tried a couple of times in desperate times to try and crash start a 96ci (ECM based) HD with zero success (even down a steep hill). Is it possible to crash start an ECM based H-D?

[@schachat01]

Interesting comments on the subject [source: hdforums.com] I'd have to say maybe. If the bike has a cam position sensor to tell the ECM which cylinder is coming up to fire next, then push starting would be a possibility, assuming the battery has enough power left to run the fuel pump and coil. On the other hand, if it does not have a cam sensor like the late model harley, the ignition system uses flywheel acceleration while cranking to determine which cylinder is getting spark next. When using the starter motor, the engine will slow down as compression builds and speed up again once it gets past it. However when push starting the speed of the engine turning may be too consistent for the module to figure out which one to fire, and it won't fire the plug. so, maybe... maybe not Hogdoctor The HD twin cam is a true single fire ignition and injection system. Nothing is wasted. Besides, a half shot of fuel on the backside of a closed intake valve will quickly drop out of it's atomized state back into a dribble and not burn completely,, the EPA would never allow that. It's fine for Lucas injection, but not for the Harley. While it's true that the ECM knows the position of the flywheel at all times, it does NOT have any direct knowledge of the camshaft's position without the cam sensor which was eliminated for several reasons. The engine has to figure it out when you start cranking the engine. If it cannot figure it out, then you get no spark. This is why if you pull the spark plugs on a twin cam and try to test the spark cranking the engine over, sometimes you won't get any spark.. there's no compression so the module can't figure out which coil to fire. It is absolutely pertinent, because you might have the same situation when trying to push start a bike. My sources? Many trips to Juneau ave in Milwaukee for factory training, Many years experience troubleshooting these systems for a living. Any documentation is classified and copyrighted, so I can't divulge any of it. You'll just have to trust me. Hogdoctor

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Wow! Welcome aboard Hogdoctor. You are a wealth of knowledge. Do YOU have a KZbin channel we can tune in?

[@schachat01]

No, just a guy who gets pretty deep into technical issues-Doc Harley and I often communicate via email on tricky issues-I live in Cape Town, South Africa

[@bodog3209]

I’m having trouble with my 2010 Electra glide. I’ve been though 3 batteries. My stator and regulator has been changed and now running at 14.2 v. But the battery still runs down. I’m running a custom dynamic headlight and turn signal. Something is pulling my battery down. Help!!!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

by chance are you running a ThunerMax? If all if HD. I would put a volt meter on battery and pull one fuse at a time while watching meter. If voltage goes up you have narrowed the area to look at....Doc

[@ajmac671]

Hey doc, after pulling and reinstalling the motor on my 2016 FXDLS I am having a stalling issue when my gas light comes on and I hit the brakes. The idle drops and the bike dies but starts right back up no problem. Never had this problem before and could run the bike normally even after the low range indicator on the information display would come on. If I fill the bike back up it runs normal but seems like the idle is lower than usual. Any ideas on where to start looking?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

When was the last time you replaced the fuel filter? check the fuel pressure to be sure the regulator is working. Now about the fuel light coming on when applying the brake.....Wires are pinched. Like a bolt has crushed a set of wires.....Doc

[@ajmac671]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson well doc that's a good question it's a new to me 16 with 25k on it so I'm assuming it has not been changed. And to clarify the gas light isn't coming on when I hit the brakes , rather when the gas light is on (fuel in tank at a low level) and I hit the brakes the bike will cut out. If I hit the brakes with a little more fuel in the tank it seems to run just fine

[@toddk.5873]

I don't recommend cranking the motorcycle with the Battery Tender connected. I ruined one once doing that. Just in case you thought about doing it.

[@positivelynegative9149]

👍

[@okiemale1589]

😎👍

[@nhbountyhunter]

The jumpstart thing has me going all but crazy. Why would the alternator from a car fry the bikes electronics? HD run on 12-14v like cars correct? 12v from an alternator is the same as 12v from a battery. I could see MAYBE a regulator of some sort possibly getting too hot and shorting due to the alternator pushing more current than the bikes but remove the cable right after start would solve that issue. If anybody knows I'm very interested.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

You are correct on the voltage. It is the current (amps) the car's alternator is putting out. HD bikes have at most a 50 amp main fuse....Doc

[@Whopperjaw.]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I had the same question. Still a bit confused. A car alternator are typically 100amp maybe up to 200 amp on some vehicles. But a car battery can put out 500 or more amps easily. So, I don’t see how, as long as the jumper cables are hooked up correctly, having the car running shouldn’t hurt anything.

[@nhbountyhunter]

@@Whopperjaw. that was what I was wondering. I believe the issue is that alternator pushes unlike a battery that stores. Again I could be wrong what I think CAN happen is the bike is seeing excess charging current and trys to bleed it off somehow. Whatever device does this is not meant to handle that much excess and heats up and probably shorts. If that device is computer controlled then I guess it can send voltage to the computer. The car regulates the alternator based on it's need but that need will be WAY more than a bike. So, my guess is if you jump and remove the cables quickly there will be no issues. In reality though you should never need the car to be running to jump a bike if you do there is more wrong than right with the car.

[@joejunior1974]

Hey Doc, I need help. I have a 22' street bob and checking the oil is driving me crazy. When I check it in the morning, it reads half way to the FULL WHEN HOT mark. If I take it for a ride and let it idle for 2 minutes on the jiffy stand ( as the manual says to do), the dipstick is dry as a bone. The next morning when the bike is cold, the oil magically reappears half way to the FULL WHEN HOT mark. Is there something wrong with my bike? Thanks

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Bring it to your dealer. I have never had this issue in our shop...Doc

[@joejunior1974]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I'm starting to suspect that my shed where I park my bike is the problem. The concrete is slighty sloped and was only roughly finished. I put a piece of plywood down and started parking on it in the same location. I'm getting more consistent levels now. I wouldn't have thought that slight differences in the place the jiffy stand was resting could make such a difference, but I guess it does.

[@dannyburgess2781]

5can. You use. Battery tender. With. Battery. Hook. Up. Are. Need. To disconnect. The battery from. Bike. ?

[@dannyburgess2781]

Can. Get. Handle. Bar switch. Spring. And. Home. Cover that fit. ?

[@dannyburgess2781]

Thanks. Doc. For. You. Info. Very. Helpful. Keep it coming.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you.,...Doc

[@kenstirling5348]

I have jump started with my car running a bunch of times and never gave it a thought. Never again.

[@jameslyons1661]

🏁👍

[@chargerman426]

Thought it was standard practice to hook up the living vehicle to the dead one, let it charge it for some period of time, then un-hook the dead vehicle from the living one and let it try and start. Save the electronics on both vehicals.

[@toro5338]

A mere opinion of mine, doing it in this way, you surely won't damage electronic on both bike/vehicle 😉 so I agree. But I just don't know how much time it will need to charge the dead battery ... stay well💪