I have been having issues with my 113" S & S starting really hard in temps under and around 40 degrees. Sometimes it will not start for days unless i place a heater by it for several hours. Been to several different shops and they all say it is the nature of the 113. I find that hard to believe....anyone have the same issues ? I am running 20-50 synthetic oil ( Amsoil )

I have already went thru 1 starter in less than 9,000 miles. Again they tell me to get used to it....thats just the way it is. BS in my mind but several shops have told me the same thing.

 

it is just a big motor to turn over... the 110 is the same way... I have a buddy that rebuilds starters to match the motor and builds... he did a stealth starter for my buddy after he went though 4 starters after his build... the rebuilt starter has lasted 4 years now... find someone in the area that can rebuild it to give you a bit more PUSH when you hit the button... do you have it on a tender? that will help as well... pulling my brothers starter off his chop this winter and giving it up to my buddy to rebuild... his 110 revtech is a beast to get over in the cold

 

Does that 113 have compression releases?

My brothers got an S&S 111 and still using his original starter (4 years now).It's definately sluggish to start on cold days and he's got to throw a charge on the battery once in a while but otherwise he's had no major problems starting it

 

I keep it on a tender 24/7 and it does have electronic compression releases. i have my last starter maybe I will take it somewhere and have it built up a little to help with the situation. I usually only get about 6 or so quick cranks before the battery is low enough that it will barely turn it over. By the way the battery is only about 1 1/2 years old also.

 

a 2.1kW should do the trick....although if your comp. releases are working a 1.4kW SHOULD be okay......I'd check to make sure the releases are working.IMHO

~Joe

 

Ditto on the compression releases. My 113 had the same hard start issues. Realized 1 compresssion release was shorted out and blew the fuse.....neither was working. If it didnt fire on the 1st or 2nd revolution it was done. Put in a new release and good to go again.

 

you can check the releases by putting your finger on top of them in the rocker hole. You will feel them drop when the starter is activiated...if they are working. You can manually depress them to clean them out or to get it started even.

 

My 113 is a bear in the cold as well. What type of plugs are you running? I am using a cold plug. Was told to try a hotter plug. Will let you know if it makes a difference.

 

how old is your battery tender? I was recently told that the older ones won't charge maintenance free batteries correctly. some of my old tenders go right from "charge" to "float" when I know the battery can't be fully charged so quick. I plugged in one of my newer tenders and it took overnight to go from "charge" to "float".

 

It's a crock,my 124"S&S starts no problem.Usually don't mess with it at 40 degrees but have before and it starts.Try a can of starter fluid just to see if it makes a diference,or change the heat range of your plugs just for the cooler temps.