harley slow to crank in gear when cold
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 82
From: Paris ky
harley slow to crank in gear when cold
hi all. my 2014 ultra w/103 has a slow crank when cold in gear. if i put in neutral it'll start easier.whats starter going bad symptoms? once warm it starts ok but has always had a slight tinging type noise while cranking hot or cold. it has 63k miles and stock internals. i'm going to load test my battery today.i bought the bike in march so unsure of battery age and could be the complete problem
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 2,206
From: College Station, TX
Checking the battery is a good place to start. If this is a new symptom that started without any other changes or modifications to the bike, the battery is a good suspect.
If that doesn't resolve the problem, check the primary oil level and viscosity. Although every HD I've owned has been slower cranking when in gear, having too much oil, or a very viscous oil in the primary could cause the clutch plates to drag more when cold than hot.
Paul
If that doesn't resolve the problem, check the primary oil level and viscosity. Although every HD I've owned has been slower cranking when in gear, having too much oil, or a very viscous oil in the primary could cause the clutch plates to drag more when cold than hot.
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,757
From: Omaha,NE
Sounds like the clutch is dragging a bit. If the clutch is properly adjusted, I wouldn't worry about it if all else in the starting system checks OK. My '23 Breakout (softail) has been this way since day 1. I never start it in gear to avoid it.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 82
From: Paris ky
i would start it in neutral when it's inside but my driveway has a incline and i cant get it in neutral while on the incline. i will check battery but im not sure if this is an old issue as i just bought in march.my other Harleys haven't cranked like this before so thats why i believe there is an issue. its almost to where i'm uncertain if it's going to start because it cranks so slow. i'm going to investigate a little more. thanks for the info
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Near Yosemite
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 82
From: Paris ky
Just a thought........ try firmly applying the front brake, pull the clutch in, SLIGHTLY release the front brake just a taste while you put a little pressure on the shifter. Let it roll back a few inches and it will probably pop into neutral. Then start it in neutral with the clutch lever pulled in to reduce any drag from the clutch/tranny. Me personally, I ALWAYS start my bikes like this to reduce any unnecessary wear and tear on the starter and the battery. That's just me tho..........
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 768
Likes: 430
From: CLT NC
Same for my 2014 with brand new battery so I just start it in neutral. I can feel the bike trying to move forward slightly when I first hit the starter in gear so I assume the hydraulic clutch is not fully disengaging. However... My bike rolls backward easily while in gear with clutch in and running. Not the case when it is cold without the engine running.
No such issue with my wife's 2013 FLS with cable clutch.
No such issue with my wife's 2013 FLS with cable clutch.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
Clutch is dragging, that is your issue. Work on being in neutral, especially on a cold start. Or just ignore the slow cranking now that you know it is just the clutch and not the battery. But why stress the battery, good luck.
