Battery help please

[rwf6406]

Having starting problems on my 05 classic, getting the full sweep from the dials, lights are on but nothing when I hit the starter. Kick stand is up, clutch pulled in, sometimes it starts but this issue went from random to seriously messed up.
Can anyone tell me if the battery could be the problem? Would it randomly start with a bad battery or just not start all the time? I've noticed some corrosion around the base of the terminal posts, but not at the connections.
I'm in Florida it's humid and I've been caught in the rain plenty of times, so could be the ignition switch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, having it trailered to a dealership is unfortunately not an option right now.

Thanks
Rick

 

[pjsmithres]

What is the voltage fo the battery with switch OFF? With switch on?

 

[Bc fisherman]

Okay the first thing is the red kill switch . then check voltage at batterie if 12.5 or better Might be the starter buton or starter solinoid . the switch failer is normaly the white blue wire and thats no gages at all .IDK has a post on a keyless ignition with instructions you can use these to bypass a bad switch I did this insted of the remote I put a on/off switch so if my ignition fails I can still get home

 

[budman]

how old is the battery?..the ign switch would be my guess..all these bikes need a relay between the switch and the headlights (eastern beaver mod)..plenty of posts on here bout that..

 

[rwf6406]

Thank you all for getting me looking in the right direction.
I pulled the headlights to one side to look at the ignition assembly and noticed what looked like a wear or burn on the left fork, and a matching mark on the headlamp. I adjusted the lamps so it doesn't touch and she starts right up. Could it be that easy? or did I get lucky and touch the right wire.
By the way I'm a cook, one helluva cook, but I suck at wrenching.

 

[Blastedbones]

A burn on the lamp/fork means the metal bowl has gone live!! you're shorting it to ground on the fork. ( this shouldn't happen!!!!) check the wiring for worn insulation.. might be contacting something it shouldn't.

 

[rwf6406]

Well I thought that was the problem, but after I put everything back in together it did the same thing. Guess the mark was just wear, and only a coincidence. I tightened up the clutch cable because it looked to have some play in it. And it started up several times in a row, I'm taking a frustration break then checking it again. I still suspect the ignition after reading the posts on here.

 

[Pedro]

The clutch should have 2-3mm free play, adjust it back or it will fail.

 

[Blastedbones]

The clutch should have 2-3mm free play, adjust it back or it will fail.

Yup! the lifter shaft will break! ( Warp knows all about them!!!!!!!)

 

[Pedro]

Used half a dozen myself.