Bike not starting

[Cowpunk]

Hey all! I'm new to this forum. I have a 1993 1200 sporty. It was an 883, but the guy I bought it from swapped the motor, and in the process really messed up the wiring. So I've been slowly sifting through it to fix minor things. Today, I was checking the voltage on the battery, static and running. I found a loose plug, so I checked it to see if it had any voltage going through it, the bike died, and now the starter doesn't do anything. No sound, no clicking, nothing. The bike turns on, i.e. lights, blinkers, break light etc. But the starter does nothing. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

[Bob F]

I see it's your first post. Hello from Pittsburgh and welcome to the XLForum.

There's no tricks, follow the wires until you find the problem.

[Shu]

There is a relay behind the triangle cover behind the battery on the battery side of the bike. Maybe that went bad.

Another common problem for these years sportsters is the positive battery cable breaks right down at the starter. So I'd carefully check the battery cables on both ends.

[Cowpunk]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking it was the relay, just don't know for sure. I have some time today scope it out, I'll let you know what happens.

I know its not the battery cables, just replaced them a couple months ago.

[Cowpunk]

Ok, replaced the relay, still nothing. I honestly have no idea where the fuses are on my bike, so I haven't checked those. Traced the wires back to the best of my ability, didn't find any broken or fried connection. Could it be the ignition module? or the starter its self? if so, how do I check? I am honestly out of ideas, I can't think of what could have happened, or what else to do. I don't have the money right now to take it in somewhere, nor do I really want to. I would prefer to do this myself so should something like this happen in the future (I hope not) I can take care of it.

[Shu]

I re-read your original post and when you probed that unknown plug chances are greatest that you blew a fuse. I am not positive but the fuses on my bike are behind the triangle cover beside the battery. They are actually attached to the triangle cover. Here is where mine are:

[Cowpunk]

Ah yes, thank you! It was the fuse