What would b the cause for no power?

SOURCE: while riding all lights started to flash engine run erratic bike died of death bike will not start

Start with charging and load testing the battery. Then test the stator, to test the stator on the bottom of the right down tube is the plug that goes from the stator to the voltage regulator. With a multi meter, read the voltage from the stator, I forget the exact values but as you rev the motor the voltage should climb if it dosn't your stator is bad. If the stator is good take a reading again with the motor running at the battery cables, again I forget the exact value but you should have a steady reading at the battery, if it isn't and fluctuates it is bad.

SOURCE: full temp , full tank of good gas. climbing a hill

A.dirty fuel line/filter/trash in carb B. bad coil C. carb too rich/carboned out spark plugs.D. short in the switch wires

Testimonial: "thanx these were some of the things i was thinkin , it helps to read you type it . ill check it out"

SOURCE: Engine Light Going On/Off

yes it could cause this
fully charge battery and try again

SOURCE: no power to bike/new charged battery/is there

The pre-2000 models came with circuit breakers instead of fuses. They look like little metal cans that are about 1/2" wide by about 1 1/2" long. When a short circuit causes the current draw to exceed the rating of the circuit breaker, it will break with a slightly audible "ping". After a few minutes, it will reset itself. If the short circuit is still present, it will simply start the cycle all over again.

Now, there is a main circuit breaker. Usually it's under the seat and it's rated at 30 amps. It could have been replaced with a fuse by a previous owner if the bike was purchased used.

Now, at the battery or the starter, you should have an additional wire that supplies power to the entire bike. The large battery cable connects to the postive side of the battery and then goes down to the starter. Your bike should have the Nippondenso type starter on it as the '88 year model was the last to have the seperate starter solenoid and Hitachi starter. At one or the other places, the starter or the battery, there should be a large single wire connected along with the battery cable. This wire is the what I call the "accessories" power wire. It must be connected or there will be no power to the rest of the bike. If you failed to reconnect it at the battery, this could be your problem.

If you will contact me directly and tell me you need a schematic for your '89 FLHS, I can send it to you e-mail. [email protected]

Good Luck
Steve

SOURCE: motorcycle starts and will run for 3to 5 minutes

Ok, you've either got a lose of spark problem or a fuel problem. To solve your problem, you've got to figure out which one you've got. The next time it does this, take a spare set of spark plugs and put them in the plug wires. Ground them good to the engine and press the start button while watching them. Do you have a good spark. If so, now you've narrowed your problem to a fuel issue. If not, you've got an electrical problem.

Fuel problems are the simpliest. First, loosen but don't remove your gas cap and ride the bike. If this fixes the problem, replace the fuel cap as the vent valve in the cap has went bad. Check for full fuel fuel flow through the petcock. Your bike may have one of the vacuum operated petcocks. These are notorious for giving problems. I'd suggest replacing it with a high quality manually operated petcock if it proves to be your problem. To test it, remove the fuel hose and the smaller vacuum hose on the rear of the petcock. Using a hand operated vacuum pump. apply vacuum to the nipple on the backside of the petcock. You should have a full flow of fuel through the petcock. If not, replace the thing.

If you don't have a spark when you check the plugs, start carrying a can of "component cooler" with you. The next time it does this, spray the ignition module and see if that brings the bike back to life immediately. Try spraying the pickup module in the timer cavity. You may have to drill the rivets out of the cover to get to this component. Do not replace the rivets with standard rivets,,They're special rivets, get them a the Harley shop. When you spray something with the component cooler and your bike come back to life immediately. You've found a temp problem. Replace that component.

Good Luck
Steve