So I have been reading various posts about the negative ground going bad and failing during a ride. I am making a 400 mile trip next weekend so I was changing the oil and thought I would check the cable. Well I must be having a major brain fart, but I can not get it out of the tray. I can loosen the negative cable on the back of the battery, but I am having a tough time with the positive side because of the frame. Is there a easier way to get at that side? I can't even raise the battery enough to slide the bottom out of the tray. Are they all in there so tight? Any help would be highly apperciated! And I thought changing the oil was going to be the hard part.

Hey Albie1200,

I love it when people post this question again. It reminds me so much of about 1 year ago when i had exactly the same problem. It is always a little difficult to get that battery out, but it is the experience of knowing that it is possible that makes a difference.

I disconnect the -ve cable first. To do that i have to first disconnect a large plug-in connector to make room to work. There is still just barely enough space for my fingers. Each time it is a small miracle that i did not drop the bolt into engine nowhere.

Next i pry up the bottom edge of the battery out of the tray towards me. Again, there is just barely enough working room to do this, but it can be done. That allows me to pull the bottom edge of the battery toward me. Then i can access the +ve cable bolt.

Re-installation, as they like to say in the manuals, is the reverse of removal.

Note: for all batteries it is important to remove the -ve cable first, and install the +ve cable first. Less sparks flying.

Taking the seat off will give you some room to get at it from the top.

Thanks for the quick reply Mick! I have not removed the negative yet for the very reason that I was picturing the bolt falling down into "never going to see again land" I know that negative must come off first, but I kept thinking I could push the top of the battery in far enough to pull the bottom out as you suggest. You would think MoCo would maybe give you 1/2 inch more on those cables to work wth. Anyway time to go see how far that bolt will drop, because I know it's going to slip out of my fingers! Thanks again!!