Today we are going to go over how to install a trickle charger plug on a 2006 Harley Davidson. This is another thing that people think is “shop work”, and it is really simple.
This is one of the more simple tasks. You are going to need a flat head screw driver, a Phillips head, and a 3/8 wrench or socket. Sizes and tools very for different bikes. These are the tools we need for this particular bike.
Now we have to locate the battery. If you don’t know, it’s under the seat. This is basically standard for all bikes. So, we pull the seat off.
This is done by removing 3 screws, and the strap. Two of the screws can be hard to find. The first screw is on the back, under the back rest.
This should be easy with a flat head screwdriver. Careful with the screws. Don’t damage the chrome! They are also spring loaded. This keeps them from bending the seat, and hanger. Don’t pull them all the way apart. You will lose the spring.
The flathead, down under the right side of the seat, is your screw. It is also spring loaded. Be careful. Sometimes, as it is on this bike, it can be hidden under a decorative piece. Normally it flips up.
Our third screw is located on the opposite side of the bike. It should be in the same location. Remove it, remembering the spring.
On the left side of the bike, you will find the bolt that holds the strap on. Do not remove the bolt. Pull down on the strap. The buckle has a loop made to unhook. Next you must slide the seat back. This will unhook the front hook.
Unbuckle the back of the strap, slide it over the seat , and the seat is now removed.
Now we have access to the battery. We want to unhook the negative cable, first. We are not going to unhook this from the battery. We are going to unhook the bike’s main ground. This is an easier process on this particular bike.
Using our 3/8 wrench/socket, we are going to remove the screw above. Following the cables, you can see it leads directly to the negative post on the battery. We want to unhook as little as possible from the battery. The location of the battery makes it difficult to reconnect everything.
We are now ready to unhook our hot. RED IS ALWAYS HOT! Pull the battery up, hold it, and remove the screw. Keep up with the cables connected at this point! Watch out for the brass fitting! You don’t want to drop it in the bike!
Remove the brass fitting. Place the red side of the trickle charger port on this screw Replace the brass fitting. Make sure the brass fitting is touching the battery. Snug the screw back down. Replace the battery.
Now we want to place the black side of the trickle charger, on the main ground screw.
Hide your cables! You want to secure them. Don’t let extra cabling hang! This is dangerous! Make sure to keep it away from tires, chains, and belts! Tuck it under, not over! Use zip ties to secure it.
Make sure you have access to it, without having to remove the seat! And always… ALWAYS make sure the bike doesn’t already have one!
This bike now has two! Worse things have happened… I still can’t believe I didn’t see it before I took the seat off! Now they have a plug on each side. Let’s replace the seat.
Set the set back on the bike. Remember that you have to slide it forward. CAREFUL! THE BACK MOUNTING BRACKET WILL SCRATCH THE FENDER!
As you are sliding it forward, make sure the front hook goes back into place. Next is your back screw.
Gently move the seat around until the screw lines up. Give the screw a turn and a half or so. Do not snug it up. You want to be able to move the seat. Leave it looking like this picture. Next are the sides.
Leaving the back bolt loose, you can line them up easier. Insert one side, leave it loose, then insert the other. Now snug it down, go to the other side, do the same. Save the back for last.
Hook the strap buckle, and you are finished!
That’s how you hook up a trickle charger port! Thanks for reading! I would also like to thank Steve Kerr for allowing me to do this on his bike!
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