Posted this question on another HD website and no help, maybe here. 1982 FXLR with a two month old Ultima Thunderbolt (sealed) direct replacement battery. While riding the bike it backfired and quit with lots of smoke and/or vaporized battery acid coming from the bike and at the time too busy trying to get the bike to the shoulder to notice where the smoke was coming from and I notice the oil in my tach was boiling. Once home I found that the battery had exploded, battery was dry and the sides were expanded. Have done some troubleshooting with a volt/ohm meter and a visual inspection and nothing so far. It would seem to me a massive discharge that would cause the battery to explode there would be a component that would look like toast, but nothing so far OR maybe the battery internally shorted out, I have not seen or heard of that happening but maybe it is possible.
Any suggestion as to what happend or where to look would be appreciated.
Any suggestion as to what happend or where to look would be appreciated.