Master Level Tech Preston Demonstrates How To Change A Harley-Davidson® 2018-2020 Softail Battery

[@donseable5165]

Thanks for that great demonstration. I am an old Harley rider who always lets the Pros at the dealership repair my toys, but as often happens, they were booked up for a long time, and I wanted to ride. With your clear instructions, I found it relatively easy to change my battery. Thanks Coach. 👍😊

[@ShaneStewart-w8w]

Great video, i lost the positive screw and woke the neighbours with the alarm but saved myself $150 doing it myself just struggled getting the small little plastic cover piece back on my slim but i always finish my jobs with a extra piece left over 😆

[@chromewench1595]

Wow, this was so helpful! Except for me dropping positive bolt, luckily I found it laying inside the drive belt lol...this was a 3 beer job. 60 year old female. Thank you!!!!!

[@nycolejohnson6885]

Only once? I did it about 5 times before I finally got it!

[@jeysea2400]

After watching this I put a bit of blutak on the screwdriver! Still managed to drop it first time ;)

[@joeg8269]

Kudos to this Master Tech's teaching style - calm, clear, confident in how he relays the material. Very helpful!

[@larrys.3992]

Good job, clear and concise. I have seen many demonstrations where nothing is placed in the oil filler.

[@samanthalane6414]

This was the perfect video to help me get out my battery. Step by step. No anger trying to figure stuff out on my own. I didn't even throw any wrenches. Thank you.

[@hdofsantaclarita]

You're welcome!

[@kimberlynewcomer8951]

Thank you! You're video sure helped me. Thank goodness I was stranded in Lowes parking lot, went in bought the tools needed and walked across the road got a battery and put it in in the parking lot. Your video sure saved my ass! ❤️

[@johnn7533]

This was excellent, able to do it myself in probably 30 minutes. Thank you!

[@RoaldTM]

Great video, thanks for getting the removal and installation all into one video. I understand the whole "same process in reverse " for re installing it but is always good to actually seeing it being done.

[@PhilBwankenobi]

Spot on video, clear information and knowledgeable tech explaining it. Right at an hour swap including the time watching the tutorial. The first video I came across made it seem like a hassle with screaming frustration. Definitely checking this channel for anything else relevant to my bike, THANK You!!

[@JElledge37]

I just replaced the battery in my FXDR after watching this video. Took me right at an hour and was easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for the vid!

[@hdofsantaclarita]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼Thanks for watching!

[@chromehorserider8659]

Great video thanks. This procedure does make me miss the older style softail where it's super easy to do a battery replacement lol

[@jamesshute8258]

Wow! Just purchased a 2020 Heritage. Bought Bluetooth speakers for it. Went to install them and couldn’t even figure out where the battery is. My 06 Heritage had the battery right under the seat. Was so simple to get to. After watching this video, I’m thinking about sending the speakers back.

[@grindsoul]

did you send them back?

[@raymunchieftain4170]

Best install and most detailed vid of a Battery in a Softtail. Thank You !!!

[@themaddscot]

Way late response but thanks for the video. Coming from working on bikes, this has to be the worst engineered, or over engineered battery access. A key area of service and troubleshooting to get to via this process, not to mention having to remove the oil dipstick / cover. Love my softail, but bloody knuckles every time on battery access.

[@VN9001]

Agreed! 😄 I believe it is a function of the mono shock location (which makes it a Softail). That eliminates a top load battery right off the bat. Notwithstanding, they really should have put more thought into at least routing the wiring out of the way so you don't have to unclip/unfasten a few wires and move them out of the way. It really is a PITA!

[@thomasmallow9310]

Great video! Precise and to the point! Thanks

[@gung-hokaleo6365]

BEST HOW TO VIDEO !!! DID MY 2019 FATBOY NO PROBLEM !! THANKS PRESTON !!

[@rudeawakening3833]

You did a stellar job ! Great concise , and to the point ! Crazy how the engineers at HD buried that battery ! I want to “ take back “ all the bad name calling on my 53’ Panhead … Bla ha ha !

[@VuDuGrrrrl8075]

This was perfect. This is my bike, too. I've done my 3 point oil changes and now my battery change. This was perfect! I'm so proud of myself!

[@siegfriedsundermann5334]

Great demo thanks mate, that helped me a lot.

[@hdofsantaclarita]

You bet!

[@rogerbencze9803]

Outstanding demo. I have to do mine (a 2019 model). Just hope it'll go as smooth as showed!

[@robertlumsden942]

should the main fuse be removed before you start all this. curious.

[@Bergamot88]

Nahhh

[@bomi0101]

Awesome video helped me a lot ! Just wondering as a newbie in HD, is there any trick to get with booster for start engine ? cheers

[@randallhoward2162]

Super thanks for this great vid. My wife and I just put a in battery in her '18 HC and the job went really well. The only little snag was with that little metal clip that holds the bottom of the caddy. It came off and we tried and tried putting it on the way we thought it should go but then realized we were making it way harder as it really just clips around the bottom of the piece below - pretty simple ha ha.

[@peterniens1832]

Thanks for the demonstration. Just got the Lowrider ST and has to remove the battery. It looks very similar.

[@toms1341]

Thank you for the demo…👍

[@jesusmiguel2833]

Thanks bro, from Spain (Europe). Great job. I have a Fat Boy 2020.

[@jeysea2400]

Lifesaver video, thanks! Would have been good to have a reminder of how to disable the alarm before you start! And the back clip by the positive terminal is a pain to see. Someone needs to have a chat to the designers in Milwaukee and make them actually work on the things they are building! My old Dyna was *so* much easier to swap the battery!

[@Wild-Wisdom]

21 fxlrs, same thing. Worked for me. Thanks 👍🏻

[@Brian-dr2yi]

Did it watching this video 21 fxlrs. 1 note, I dropped the screw on the positive side, it's not magnetic. Just be extra careful. Thanks great vid.

[@hdofsantaclarita]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@markdooley2715]

Thanks mate,just a question do you have to remove main fuse first cheers

[@MrDynafxdc]

Ya better or you're going to have multiple codes to clear

[@mr.robert2507]

Outstanding! Thanks for this very instructive video.

[@Welikejunk]

Can leaving your battery disconnected for a long period like 3 months hurt the bike? Ty!

[@afghanfilm]

Harley Davidson, just because of battery access, I will not buy the Heritage, or any other Harley bikes, wtf you make this so difficult, you know we're always on the road. I sincerely hope that you will take the necessary steps to rectify this issue and restore my confidence in the Harley Davidson brand.

[@johnperryman8146]

I have a 2018 slim love the bike but I discovered it has a defective oil pump very disappointed they want $1000 to put the adequate oil pump in let me take the sticker off my forehead that says dumbass

[@henriv.4590]

Thank you! This helped me easily pull the battery so it could be tested. Turns out the battery was fine. There is a 7.5A fuse and a 5A fuse right next to the 40A Main and one of those was blown. Still.....learned the process and how to troubleshoot. For that, I thank you! :-)

[@hklausen]

You make it look so easy🙂Thanks for the instruction.

[@JB-rw9xt]

Dood - thanks for the video. First battery change on my ‘18 Deluxe. Like butter!

[@garybaldwin1061]

Any recommendation on which battery to buy. Walmart?

[@ChapelHillElectric]

What about on the 2024 ? It looks the same from the outside.

[@KruKut]

So, I noticed the bike in your vid is missing a small, plastic shield that sits between the wiring and the main metal cover. It has 3 slats that go into the plastic battery cover, and a groove that the main metal cover fits over. When all are installed, you can see this small plastic cover just below the main metal cover and behind the dipstick. I watched the vid over many times and didn't see one. Did you remove it before recording? Edit: You do mention at the end that sometimes there is a little cover. 👍🏼

[@chrisjones5572]

I have the same question

[@WhatsUpBob]

Is it necessary to pull the main fuse on a non alarm model?

[@edwardk6762]

Perfect instructions! Right down to the small cuts that I got! 🤣🤣🤣

[@craigsimi301]

I'm wearing rubber gloves after watching this video...

[@jeffbateman2339]

Yeah…. I noticed him bleeding in at least two different places, maybe three. It really is ridiculous

[@FourQed]

Outstanding video, thanks for sharing

[@KaitlinMMorales]

My battery is stuck! Should there be more holding it in?!

[@carstenmaul5729]

Hi. I'm Carsten from Germany. Thank you for the good Video. It work's great. But it isn't easy the First time. Thank's. 👍🤘

[@hondaracer84r6]

When changing the battery does it matter if the harley has a key fob remote ? Do I have to program the alarm in anyway ? 🤔

[@hdofsantaclarita]

Yes, the security siren will go off when removing the battery. If just standard key fob and alarm, then no.

[@jtmistr885]

thanks for the super helpful video - 2018 FatBob needed new battery - you guys made it simple. I really was hoping to do it via taking the rear wheel off but you took all the fun out of that! 🙂

[@tinozampano]

Thanks mate! We all have the same question tough it seems: Alarm und main fuse...

[@bryantlevin]

Thank you! Please do more videos.

[@DonbAyers]

Thank you for doing this specific video. Made my batt change quick and error free

[@johnmick9457]

Great video made changing the battery in my 2019 Low rider easy peezy

[@johncasor9698]

i just did this battery install and now my oil light is on ???

[@lovepurpleism]

I HAVE THE 2003 HD AND TRYING TO CHANGE THE BATTERY!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gregmosczynski5928]

Where is the charging fuse on 2020 soft tail

[@brodyyoung4442]

bro i have this bike did a handle bar change all my left hand controls don’t work trying to find a fuse or something cuz my wires are legit

[@mikejw58]

Great video Thx

[@Chris-t8z2l]

Did you noticed the mechanic cut himself and is bleeding. How come nowadays HD makes motorcycles that are an hazard for the person working on it. Especially for something as simple as changing a battery. 😮

[@pauldhillon9711]

Very good info

[@MadMexism]

If blood isnt shed, you aint doing it right. Bravo!

[@rudeawakening3833]

I thought that it was part of his tat ! Bla ha ha !

[@kimberlynewcomer8951]

I guess I did it right!🤣

[@ChrisH930S]

My side covers are 25Torx 2020 Softail std

[@krogersucks45]

Good video. Just another reason why I would not be interested in owning a M8 Softail. Prior years are much simpler.

[@bif90210]

Gee thanks HD for making this easy!?

[@mikejw58]

Bloody knuckles and cuts on the hands. Thank you Harley

[@scottulrich2725]

Such a huge pain. Have had to do this twice. Notice the blood on his hand. I got bit each time. Those clips are hard to release the first time you do it. Putting forward contrils on was easier.

[@1khoth]

Спасибо. Может хотя бы благодаря этому видео у меня наконец получится.

[@dondenar8377]

ffs. So how you jumpstart softtails? This seems overcomplicated, getting to the positive is not possible without removing the cover it seems, right?

[@frankmoralesiii6908]

This doesn't help when my motorcycle has an alarm system and it keeps going off every time I try to remove the negative cable

[@neilskull7395]

same prob here Frank is why im searching these vids

[@simonhouel1984]

Turn the bike on but don't start the engine. Remove the main fuse. Et voilà :-) When you put everything back, be sure the bike is still on the ''on'' position before putting the main fuse back on.

[@georan4323]

Excellent video! Well done! Please wear gloves next time to protect your hands. The blood..yikes!

[@martinmorris6271]

Why can’t it be under the seat like it was? Makes me want to buy a different brand.

[@TheReginold]

Thank you.

[@B-MAN885]

Tiger Army Never Dies

[@TheDarkGreenMarine]

I'm grateful for the video but the positioning of this battery is fucking ridiculous. I don't know who came up with this or what their mom was thinking when they had them, but this is insane. It is absolutely critically top level redline, bullshit, and insane. Grateful for the video.Though.

[@snoboredca]

Very helpful video. Very not helpful of Harley to make the battery so inaccessible (more $$$ by making battery related jobs "tech only" for some people). I can believe I gotta remove ALL that shit now just to run a simple phone charging wire.

[@bustabeatz785]

Tiger Army 🤘

[@markanthonygonzales6997]

Awesome

[@briangoldy8784]

Yea,, Notice He's bleeding too,

[@tyroneshoelace4872]

I have this bike. The battery (along with many other parts) didn't last long. I don't think I want to disassemble the entire bike to change the battery, but I'll have have it towed to the dealership! I hate my Harley and I have it listed for sale. I'll take a beating financially, but it's worth it to get rid of this piece of overpriced crap. Oh, the latest feature the bike has that just discovered is that it wears out the tires on one side prematurely. Add this to this list.

[@thatsabear]

Looks like he busted up his knuckles getting it done!

[@knightstemplar1967]

No mention of removing main fuse before removing battery which should be done as good practice

[@lukesirianni4139]

You shouldn’t have to bleed to change a battery. Why did Harley do this to us? Lol

[@mattmatthews3909]

What student intern dipsh’t engineered this ridiculousness?!?

[@uncleAndrew23]

Завтра

[@scottulrich2725]

Whoever designed this is a sadist.

[@rugfixr]

Harley fuoks! Ridiculous!!

[@rudeawakening3833]

That’s why we ( old school guys ) call them - “ Hardley Ablesons “ Bla ha ha !

[@otaupdate3151]

@@rudeawakening3833 Not just me, then

[@redneckbrasileiro]

Thanks a lot ✌🏻

[@FLHSTEVE]

Do we remove the main fuse before doing any battery disconnecrion?

[@happytoo10]

Thank you.