99 Sportster is completely dead?

I was just putting my harley back together after storing it for the winter and I put the battery in and it is completely dead. No lights, clicking, nothing. I pulled the battery made sure it was fully charged and made sure there was no corrosion, I even got a different battery that goes to a different bike that I new was good and attached that one using jumper cables just to see if I could get any power into it and still nothing. Any ideas. Thanks.

I have not had a chance to try anything but I just wanted to clarify that the problem is not getting power to the starter. When I turn the key to the one position I don't get any lights or nothing so it has to be before that and a couple of these ideas make sense because when I was first tighting the battery cable bolt I must have touched something that grounded it and it sparked so I might have fried something there. There might have been rabbits in there I did look for any evidence because there is a family that lives under my shed. I have had mice make a nest in the air filter of my xr 500 try that one for fun start it up and go about 100 feet and had weeds run all the way through the carburetor. I just ignore the little punks I have dealt with them before. Thanks guys.

First off sorry you had to read the posts from all the little punks who can't wait to read the word Harley so they can get on here to tell you what a junky bike you own.If i was you i would get a simple test light hook it to ground and start checking to see if power is getting to the starter.Make sure the key is on and the switch is set to run.Also check on both sides of the circuit breakers to make sure the power is making it thru the breakers.Look for wires that mice might have chewed up.Rare, but it does happen.

Check the main circuit breaker.

Follow Andy F's advice. I had a similar problem this season w/ my 06 sportster - turns out the trickle charger I used all winter was jacked up and drained my battery. In the process of diagnosing the problem, (ie trying to jump the bike) i blew the battery fuse.

If you're sure the battery is fully charged, check the fuses per Andy's instruction. and double check the cables for corrosion and proper fit.

Good luck

If you attached the new battery by connecting the jumper cables to the bike's cables, then the problem is in one of the bike's battery cables. If you attached the new battery by connecting the jumper cables to the connection points in a way that bypassed the bike's cables, then the problem is not in the bike's cables. In that case I'm thinking that the positive post is broken. I mean the post on the bike where the non-battery end of the positive cable connects.

Try the fuse able link. Somewhere in the positive cable line usually near the battery end there is a block that is covered in rubber. Thats the link. You may have blown it hooking up cables.

Hold a wake and burry it next to the rest of the dinosaurs.

In addition to the cable, there is also a 10 or 12 gauge wire that powers your breaker or fuse panel.

Look for a fairly beefy wire with a ring terminal on it and connect it along with the cable to the + side of the battery

This may sound dumb, but i've done it before. Make sure key is on and all switches are set to "run" position.

Refer to your owners manual and check all fuses & circuit breakers.

try hooking your jumpers up directly to the starter and see if you can get any juice that way. trace your wires for loose or corroded connections.

Broken positive cable at starter connection (Under Battery box)Fixed two already this year. Part Number 70076-97

You might have a bad battery cable......pretty simple to change out.

Get a Honda, a real bike !!!

problem 1, it's a harley....it may as well be dead, goes just as fast...

problem 2, it's a sportster...enough said...

problem 3, you're not a mechanic, take it to one, and leave it there...