I am replacing the battery on my 2007 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. The battery is about 3~4 years old. Motorcycle batteries usually do not last long. The new battery I got is an after-market Big Crank battery. It looks pretty decent based on the reviews I read on the forums. Plus, it's about half of the price of what you said at the dealership.
Step 1: prepare tools and stuff. what you need is: 40T, 10 mm socket, screw driver, 7/16 wrench, and torque wrench. Jack is not required. I just like to work on my bike when it's leveled.
Step 2: remove luggage boxes.
To remove the battery, you need to remove the seat. To remove seat, you need to remove the left-side luggage box.
Unscrew this little guy to release the strap over the seat.
Step 3: remove the seat.
Now you can see the battery.
Step 4: disconnect the terminal. NOTE: always start from the negative to prevent short. I normally wrap the terminal with some tapes, so it does not touch the battery by accident while you are working on it.
Step 5: disconnect the positive terminal. This battery's voltage is 12-volt, so it will not shock you. You don't feel a thing when you touch it with your bare hands.... unless you touch both terminals at the same time. XD
Step 6: remove the battery holder.
Step 7: after the better holder, pull out the battery and examine the battery box. I have wrapped the positive connector as well.
Step 8: compare the new battery and the old one. Just to double check that they have exact same specs before you put the new one in.
Step 9: Now insert the new battery into the box. Note: Connect the positive first and then negative. Torque the bolts to 60~90 inch-pound.
Step 10: start up the bike to test. If ok, turn off the bike.
Step 11: spray some anti-corrosion on the terminals. This will protect the terminals from being corroded by moisture.
Step 12: check the wiring and cables. Make sure they are ok and don't get into the seat's way.
Step 13: install the battery holder. Torque to 180~240 inch-pound.
Step 14: install seat, luggage boxes back. And you are done. Time for a beer!!
