How to remove battery on H-D Softail 2018 Onwards

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks for watching. Let me know what you think in the comments below. More videos like this here: kzbin.info/aero/PLmgCmljtdCzWrLg62oZxo0laIsmq4j67P

[@lloydjohnson6428]

Dude! I purchased my 2018 Softail Heritage Classic (114) brand new off the showroom floor in Renton Washington and have been the only owner. Due to the demands of my job, I've been unable to ride as much as I like, however, have kept my bike on a trickle charger so I'm always ready to ride when I can! A year-long bout of cancer (leaving me too weak to ride) following a move across the country, to the country, and my battery was so dead it wouldn't take a charge at all. No means to transport my bike to the nearest service department so determined to replace the battery myself! I purchased the very few hand tools required and prepared to do the work. Thank You so much for the detailed instructions! This task (my first ever on my own for my bike) took me all of 10 minutes to execute the maintenance tasks enabling me to remove the battery successfully!! The next step is to obtain a new battery and install it! I'll let you know how that goes! Thanks So Much!!! Next task, adjusting the clutch handle! Install of new battery just as quick as the removal!! Excellent instructions and glad I purchased a telescoping magnet! I dropped my 10mm and positive battery terminal screw once, so the magnet proved to be helpful! Lloyd

[@charlessedlacek5754]

Are these instructions the same for a 2023 heritage softtail 120th anniversary bike? I got so mad after 5 minutes and punched a wall in my garage, breaking my hand.

[@VincentVagabond]

The man, the myth, the legend! Once again a clear and simple explanation. You’re the man Alf! Appreciate it! 👊🤙

[@cristi8183]

Alf is one of the saviours! 🤘🏻 Thank you Alf!

[@KimberleyRam]

You just saved me so much time and money!!! You get straight to the point and don't waffle on for 20 mins about crap, making it easy to follow and get this done! Thank you legend 👍

[@HarleyFirestorm]

Good Video, my battery gave up life a couple of weeks ago and I ended up pushing my Sport glide home, not wanting to push it again I changed the battery, I found the job a right pain in the back side, battery replacement shouldn't involve that much work, the video helped, I have changed loads of batteries on other motorcycles and Harleys in the past but never a softail.

[@rudeawakening3833]

I totally agree . I’ve owned 13 H- D’s from iron Sportsters to panheads , 6 shovels , 3 evos , etc and my 2018 FXLR Low Rider has to be the MOST ridiculously engineered battery ever ! Should NOT be buried inside the bike this way ! Dumb bastards at HD want to know why so many are leaving the brand …

[@threelakes4life]

Just had to do this today. This video was very helpful. Harley really didn’t make it convenient for the softails😅. Cheers!

[@graemecarswell2528]

Thanks so much for your two videos on how the change a softail battery. Your assistance was outstanding and I followed all the steps, including loosing the positive bolt, twice in my case. Can’t thank you enough, neither can my Lowrider ST. All the very best.

[@davemagee]

Thanks Alf it always is better to see a video of the process than reading a manual. Cheers from NZ

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks Dave. Glad it helped. Cheers

[@charlessedlacek5754]

Thank you.. you made it look simple, but it is still a pain in the arse. Got a 120th anniversary softtail.

[@frankmoralesiii6908]

Thank you again. You are the only person I found on the Internet that explained this in simple terms but in detail. I've got my new battery in my fat Bob thank you

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks so much. Glad it worked out. Cheers

[@siegfriedsundermann5334]

Best demo I have seen yet. thank you

[@jacktschat8802]

Once again, Revelator Alf has been clear and confidence inspiring and is my "go to" source to work on my 2020 Low Rider S. Thanks Alf!

[@tonyj8947]

I have a 2020 heritage classic and needed access to the posive terminal to install the HD Electric Upgrade harness. I could not have done it without this video. Until i watched this video the clip in the back held me up for a effen hour! If you are ever in NYC or close to it a steak dinner and beer is on me!

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ah bless you Tony. Glad it helped. Cheers

[@ellishanelson8234]

Thank you for these videos. it made it easy for me to remove my battery for winter storage.

[@Mega4712]

That looked very straight forward. unfortunately that's not always the case you would not believe the hassle to replace the battery on a v rod fuse , tank cover , air cleaner , velocity stacks, air cleaner housing , water top up bottle, an almost impossible to get to battery strap, even then it's a struggle to disconnect the battery leads ( the battery lies in front of the air box on an angle.) Then you have to put it all back! The worst thing is the battery's not really big enough. I stumped up and brought lithium Ion so much better starting .

[@RevelatorAlf]

Oh wow that’s sounds like a nightmare. Cheers

[@traffictwats]

What tool did you use to take the cover off please?

[@mdf1671]

Thanks for the help, Alf. Trickiest bit for me was getting the bloody battery cover off!

[@RevelatorAlf]

ha ha yep Mike it's a fiddle, cheers

[@rogerbencze9803]

Alf: wanted to go to the dealer to change my battery due to the crazy configuration and the less than practical explanations in the handbook. Watched your video: decided I'll do it myself. Thanks buddy.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Cheers

[@vijaynirm]

Thanks for all tips, Mike. Followed your video. Nicely able to replace the battery in my soft tail.

[@raymunchieftain4170]

Hey Rev Alf, once again good work and great video.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks so much. Glad it was useful. Cheers

[@redpillcopinthephilippines9647]

Thank you and cheers from the USA

[@johndrekwiz5002]

Thank you was very useful I moved to a lithium battery in 20 minutes on LR S👍👍

[@RevelatorAlf]

Glad it helped. Cheers

[@saveurselves989]

Great show, HD screwed the pooch with the electric draining by the fob key for theft!😮

[@Pintkeeper984]

I had my 2018 breakout 114 part in Garage for two years uncovered in a leaky garage. When I went back to look at the bike, the battery had died due to the immobiliser so when I replaced the battery the horn started going off immediately full blast and it sounds like I’ve got like an oil pump a fuel pump kicking in prematurely I am when I put the fobs of the keys up to the sensor it doesn’t recognise itwhat am I doing wrong?

[@laurentp8113]

You’re a life saver thanks so much for this video !!!

[@charlescastell4638]

Thanks for this, Alf; my 2018 Sport Glide has the OE battery and may not last the winter, so I'm glad to know how to get the buried thing out! Didn't look like such a simple job, appreciate seeing it done. I can do that after all!

[@RevelatorAlf]

Glad to help! Cheers

[@feloniousmonk3049]

Get a trickle charger and use it

[@charlescastell4638]

@@feloniousmonk3049 Already do, my friend; it's just that batteries do not last forever and mine was testing weak despite the charging. New battery in place just after the first post, and we're still using the battery tender. Good stuff!

[@Zgriffinable]

Fine lesson. Might I add that at bottom of battery is a 1" strap intended to pull to help free far side of battery (left side) from its snug fit. As strap is pulled, the far side of the battery is lifted while the front side is not. Far side = left side

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes that’s a great point. Cheers

[@TyFromTennessee]

Great tutorial. Clear, precise, and to the point. Good job!!

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks so much. Cheers

[@sportglideriderdennis8971]

...just wondering what the black “flap” looking thing is on rear fender under the seat. My 2018 Sport Glide does not have it so I might be missing a critical part! Thanks for useful video. 🙂

[@RevelatorAlf]

That’s to cover over the gender gap. See one of my videos for this fix. Cheers

[@jodystratton6668]

There is a cloth strap under the battery to aid with removal. After removing the right side cover, and then the small plastic closeout cover, there is a second slit in the bottom battery pan, right behind the slit the plastic closeout cover bottom tang fits. The cloth strap is tucked into that second slit for stowing. Pull that strap out of the slit and use it to aid slipping the battery free from its cubby.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes you can cheers

[@Crowbar381]

I took my battery out yesterday and found that the strap didn’t help at all to aid removal. It tended to lift the positive side of the battery up which jammed the battery in even tighter against a plastic mount that sits directly above the battery on the positive side. Anyway I got the battery out and put a new one in and all is good now 👍👍👍

[@marcelorampazzo2771]

Hi Alf, luv your tutorials. By the way, do you have the battery specifications so I can be sure to be buying the right one?

[@RevelatorAlf]

If you watch one of my latest videos on the Yuasa battery I give the specs there. Cheers

[@blujack100]

Good to know. Where is the best place to access the positive to jump start? I heard the positive terminal on the starter is a good place but I don't know if that applies to the sport glide? thanks.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes possibly but it’s not easy access down there either. I’ll see if I can come up with something. Cheers

[@madhatterjones4781]

Would you put in the new battery and last put the main fuse back it??

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes fuse in last I’d say

[@sbrosales]

Thank you brother!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Ride safe.

[@jp1music]

Did you have to turn the run switch to on , before you took out main fuse ??. I ask because if i dont turn it on , on my 18 heritage classic then the alarm will go off. figured that out the hard way

[@RevelatorAlf]

jp1music yes. The link to the other video explains that whole procedure. Cheers

[@reddog907]

Last year I had my SG in for a flat tire, it took a few days for the tire to come in, the bike didn’t start when I picked it up. The dealer had to change the battery but the tech didn’t have to remove the seat.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Well then he’s doing it his own way but the proper way is to remove the seat which gives easier access. Cheers

[@reddog907]

RevelatorAlf I totally agree it seemed like he was having trouble , your way seems a lot better. Cheers

[@grofam9888]

Thank you for your video, cheers

[@RevelatorAlf]

Cheers

[@overwatch65]

Got a bunch of fault codes when i reconnected the battery, they can be cleared off. The dealer says it was because the ignition wasn’t on when i reconnected

[@NikolaiHT]

Thank you so much!

[@shanewalker2257]

Shouldn't the fuse be removed with ignition on to avoid alarm going off??

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes, the link to the main fuse video describes this. cheers

[@robertseychell330]

Great video Alf, just got myself the Kies heated gloves you reviewed a year ago and wanted to attach the harness to the battery, now I know how to get to it. More vids like this please.

[@williamb.9110]

Where were you a couple weeks ago Alf when I put a new Smart Siren into my 2020 Fatboy? Ha-Ha. It took me all day :-(

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ha ha. Probably making the video at the same time. Cheers

[@jackzuranski852]

Hi great video thank you JEZ

[@RevelatorAlf]

Cheers

[@JosephDiTucci]

Great video thank you !

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks so much. Glad it helped. Cheers

[@JosephDiTucci]

RevelatorAlf you saved my day today brother! Thank you !☮️💟🎶

[@harjb]

@revelatorAlf Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You helped me save time and money.

[@Spike-wk3rq]

Good info. Thx

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks much appreciated

[@dkelli6020]

Really seems they made access to the battery a needlessly PITA process.

[@ethanrosnow7874]

It absolutely sucks

[@chrislight6920]

Love your definition of easy Alf😂😂😂 unfortunately you don’t always get the comfort of a garage when the battery fails, probably one of the worst design faults on the new softails, probably intentional so that most owners would probably get the dealer to change the battery,who knows. Good video though

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ah yes I take your point there. It's not as simple as lifting the seat with direct access to it like on other bikes

[@michaellejos8038]

Damn that made my sportbike battery replacement seem more like kindergarten to that...😕

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ha ha, that’s just the start of it

[@brianryman3565]

I lost that damn positive terminal screw! Couldn’t even reach it with a magnet lol.

[@RevelatorAlf]

I know it’s a real pig when it’s dug in there

[@blujack100]

Maybe magnetize the screwdriver would help?

[@RevelatorAlf]

Sure that’ll work for short reaches but the extendable one works best. Cheers

[@robthis766]

@@blujack100 Samething happed to me. However, the battery screw is non-magnetic. I fished it out with blue-tak on the end of a stick.

[@Yelwas]

Great vid, BTW my battery screws were not 🧲 magnetic