Topic: She went dead - coasted to a stop

[750K4]

I was happily riding home from work yesterday. Just a few more miles to go on a steamy, hot day, and I'm daydreaming about a cold drink waiting for me at home. Suddenly the bike just dies - no sputtering, no warning at all, and she's coasting to a stop in heavy traffic.

I sat there a minute, running all the advice from this forum through my head, tryng to remember a similar situation I had read about and possible fixes. Checked the tank - plenty of gas. Fuel petcock in the "on" position. Handlebar kill switch still in the "on" position. Couldn't think of anything but maybe a main fuse had blown. So I took off my helmet, grabbed the ignition key and popped open the seat for a look at the electricals. It only took a second to discover the problem. The positive battery cable had broken off at the battery terminal! I dumped out the tool set under the seat and grabbed the phillips screwdriver. I loosened the battery terminal, stuffed the broken end under the remaining piece of the terminal, and tightened that sucker down.

I made it home the rest of the way without incident. Now I have to figure out how to fix the terminal. Not sure if I can still get a new cable, or whether I can put a new end on it or something. Anyone have any ideas?

[Lumbee]

...good show old chap, way to fix her up in pinch!     Go to the auto parts store...they usually have a good assortment of battery cables...big and small.  Better yet take the old one off and take it with you down to NAPA, they can probably match it up to a new one...

[dusterdude]

you should be able to buy the wire end from napa,just take it in with you.

[StevieMac]

Any auto parts store should be able to sell you a new connector to put on the cable.  That said, the cable is probably old and rather brittle hence breakage so I'd be inclined to replace it as well.  Again, any parts place can sell you wire and connectors.  You certainly don't need to buy a Honda OEM piece unless you really, really want to.

[750K4]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll take it off and visit my neighborhood NAPA store for a look see...

[dusterdude]

like stevie said,napa should have bulk wire off the roll too.

[ProTeal55]

ALWAYS take the broken part with you to the parts store.
Helps out both parties bigtime, and keeps repeat trips to a minimum...

[dusterdude]

durn tootin

[tramp]

good troubleshooting, keep it simple

[mrbreeze]

CASE DISMISSED!!!!!!