I recently removed and cleaned the battery cables and three small wires on my 2000 Ultra Classic. Didn't pay close enough attention to the three small wires that I removed from the ground terminal and possibly the positive terminal. Do all three small wires connect to the ground terminal or does one (the longer of the three with rubber insulation for about 1 1/2" down wire at terminal connector) connect to the positive terminal? I have all three of them on the ground terminal and after riding about 12 miles, which included starting the engine a total of three times, (initial start, after washing bike, and after filling with gas), the engine sputtered bad, voltage was at 8v, I immediately stopped in a parking lot and bike had to be trailered home. Battery is 6 mos. old and recharged normally when I got home. Do I have a small wire on GROUND that should be on POSITIVE? Or do I have other problems? Thanks for any help. G. H. Douglasville, Ga.

Hi, Tom, the best way to jump-start your bike is to use a jumper battery and cables, if available, before trying to push start:
1. Your battery connections must be clean and tight.
2. Jumper cables should have 8 or 6 gauge wire.
3. Only use a known good fully charged jumper battery.
4. When jumping from an automobile the engine "MUST" be off.
5. Connect the positive cable first.
6. Let the bike battery charge for 1 minute before starting.
7. Once the bike has started, remove the negative cable first.
8. If no battery is available you can try to push start.
9. Always look for a downhill slope if available.
10. Shift into 2nd gear clutch in and have someone push you then stand up on the footpegs and slam your buttocks into the seat exactly at the same time let the clutch lever out.
For more information about your issue and valuable "FREE" downloads that you will need for viewing or printing please click on the blue links below and for more specific information or questions at no charge please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck and have a wonderful day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61sNSoiI_JI
http://www.mediafire.com/file/a9pvi3kbxhkfla2/2000+Harley+Davidson+Touring+Models+Service+Manual.pdf
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?make=hdmc
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/service/document/6300?highlight=1998+sportster+owner
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Remove the seat, remove the battery hold down if installed, undo the negative cable, undo the positive cable, pull up on the battery removal strap if present and not buried under the battery etc OR otherwise lift the battery out.

Could be a coil, spark plug wires or maybe you blew the gasket around the intake manifold and you're sucking cold air.

If the "clicks" you are hearing are fairly loud clicks, it could be that the contacts in the starter solenoid are worn. Disconnect the battery and remove the 5-sided end plate on the starter that's held on by three small screws. It takes a 3mm hex key to remove the screws. Behind the plate is a plunger and a long spring, take it out. Look on either side of the solenoid and you'll see two large copper contacts. One or both of these contacts is probably burned and uneven across the face. You can get a kit to replace these contacts and it can done without removing the starter in most cases. The nuts that hold the battery cables on the starters are 14mm in size.

Good Luck
Steve

To remove the starter, first disconnect the battery. Then remove everything from the right side of the bike so that you can gain access to the starter.

Go to the left side of the bike and drain the primary and remove the cover. Remove the small bolt that holds the "starter jackshaft" on and remove the jackshaft.

Go back to the right side of the bike and disconnect the battery cable from the starter and the small wire from the starter relay. Remove the two large bolts that hold the starter on and remove the starter.

Good luck
Steve

Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the starter bolts. Pull it out, and down so you can access the wires. Pay close attention to how they are hooked up, and positioned. You're going to want them back on the same way. Remove the wires, and then hook the wires to your new starter, put it up in position, bolt it, hhok your battery cable up again.

First I would check the charging system with a voltmeter. If its not in the charging system, and u dont have a scanalyzer try a voltage drop test to check your wiring between your battery and solenoid. I am assuming you've checked your battery cables