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I have an intermittent problem with starting my 2020 Fat Boy 114 and I'm looking for some suggestions.
There has been no rhyme or reason as to when this happens but sometimes when I go to start me bike it struggles to start. I have to let go of the crank button and press it again and typically then it will start but it still seems to struggles a bit to start (sometimes it takes more than one try). When this happens I lose the set time in the clock.
If anyone has had an old car that was hard starting hot because the timing was too advanced...it's like that but this can happen cold too.
I've cleaned and tightened the battery connections a couple of times both at the battery and the starter/frame. I replaced the battery a year ago because of this but the problem continues and it seems to be happening more frequent. So before I get stuck, it's time to find the problem.
I know you have a fairly new battery, but the way it sounds I would say have the battery tested.
If all the cables are clean and tight and the battery is good, you should not have a loss of power to the clock.
I know you have a fairly new battery, but the way it sounds I would say have the battery tested.
If all the cables are clean and tight and the battery is good, you should not have a loss of power to the clock.
Thanks, I'll do that but it seems like there's possibly a bad connection somewhere... I just don't know where to start looking past the battery connections.
When the bike was new I use to lose the setting in the clock but it happened so infrequent that I didn't give it much thought and never want to bring my bike to the dealer for service.
Last edited by Monteman1971; Sep 20, 2023 at 03:56 PM.
Are you in gear or neutral? If in gear, does the bike lurch forward when you hit the start button? Battery brand and CCA?
I always start the bike in neutral but I just tried it in gear and the bike did lurch forward just a bit. What does that mean? The bike has 17k on it and the clutch has never been adjusted so I would think if anything it's loose and not tight.
Also check the automatic compression release's to make sure they are functioning in addition to have your battery load tested.
I checked the battery in the bike, 13 and change volts at rest and 14 and change while running so it is charging. I keep the bike on a trickle charger when parked in the garage.
It's a pita to take it out so I'm trying to avoid that right now but I will if I have to.
But what is the "automatic compression release" because it does seem like the compression is holding it from turning over easily. And as noted above, I just tried that start in gear and the bike did lurch a bit so I'm waiting for a reply on that too.
1. A battery can show good voltage both at rest and when charging. However, it is amperes that crank the starter over (Cold Cranking Amps, CCA) A load test will show how many CCA you have. (yes a pain to take the battery out).
2. ACR, see parts diagram below. Check connections and wiring to the ACR's
EDIT: My original post was interrupted and when I came back, the OP had answered my questions about battery voltage and whether or not it stays on a tender; all sounds like battery is OK. CoolBreeze suggestion on compression release action should be run to ground; pardon the pun but would compression releases stop the clock?
BTW, posting this over in the Tech/Mecbanical forum in the Engine section will garner more replies. Someone over there my have had this same issue.
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Hard Start
