Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Installation and Connection

Connect the cables to the correct battery terminals. Failure to do so could result in damage to the motorcycle electrical system.

1. Apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or corrosion retardant to negative and positive terminals.

2. Install battery.

3. See Battery Strap. Install top of battery strap to mount (2). Install strap fastener (1). Tighten to 72-96 in-lbs (8.1-10.8 Nm).

Connect positive (+) battery cable first. If positive (+) cable should contact ground with negative (-) cable connected, the resulting sparks can cause a battery explosion, which could result in death or serious injury.

4. See Positive Terminal. Install positive terminal screw through main fuse cable (1) then positive cable (2). Tighten to 60-70 in-lbs (6.8-7.9 Nm).

5. Install rubber boot over terminal.

NOTE: See Negative Battery Cable under Fuse Block Wire Harness. Route negative battery cable under fuse block wire harness.

6. Install screw through negative battery cable and into negative battery terminal. Tighten to 60-70 in-lbs (6.8-7.9 Nm).

7. Install main fuse.

8. Install fuse block to oil tank.

9. Install left side cover.

After installing seat, pull upward on seat to be sure it is locked in position. While riding, a loose seat can shift causing loss of control, which could result in death or serious injury.

10. Install seat.

Positive Terminal

1. Main fuse cable
2. Positive cable

Negative Battery Cable under Fuse Block Wire Harness

Jump Starting

Jump starting a motorcycle is not recommended. However, in circumstances when a jumpstart is necessary, use the following procedure.

Be sure jumper cables touch only appropriate battery terminals or ground. Allowing jumper cables to touch each other can result in sparks and a battery explosion, which could result in death or serious injury.

Explosive hydrogen gas, which escapes during charging, could cause death or serious injury.

Charge battery in a well-ventilated area. Keep open flames, electrical sparks away from battery at all times. KEEP BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

Be sure both vehicles have the same battery voltage when jump starting. Connecting vehicles with different system voltages can result in vehicle damage.

NOTES:

• DO NOT jumpstart from a running BOOSTER vehicle. The high output charging systems on some vehicles can damage the motorcycle's electrical components.
• Make sure the motorcycle and the BOOSTER vehicle are not touching one another.

Connection

1. Turn off all unnecessary lamps and accessories.

2. See Jump-Start Cable Connections. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the motorcycle DISCHARGED battery positive terminal (1).

3. Connect the other end of the same cable to the BOOSTER vehicle battery positive terminal (2).

Do not connect negative (-) cable to or near the discharged battery negative (-) terminal. Doing so could cause a spark and explosion, which could result in death or serious injury.

4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the BOOSTER vehicle battery negative terminal (3).

Do not connect the negative (-) cable to painted or chrome parts. Doing so could result in discoloration at the attachment point.

5. Connect other end of the same cable (4) to a safe motorcycle ground away from the DISCHARGED battery.

6. Start the motorcycle.

Disconnection

1. See Jump-Start Cable Connections. With the motorcycle continuing to run, remove the negative jumper cable motorcycle ground (4).

2. Remove the negative jumper cable from the BOOSTER vehicle battery negative terminal (3).

3. Remove the positive jumper cable from the BOOSTER vehicle battery positive terminal (2).

4. Remove the positive jumper cable from the DISCHARGED motorcycle battery positive terminal (1).

Jump-Start Cable Connections

1. Discharged battery positive terminal
2. Booster battery positive terminal
3. Booster battery negative terminal
4. Ground

See also: