Hi everybody,

I am new here . I am from Montreal Canada and my ride is a fxd dyna super glide ( modified) but don't put the blame on me I got it from my son, as is.
I do all the mechanic work myself. When I got the motorcycle 5 years ago, I made the starter rebuild because from time to time it wouldn't turn the flywheel. ( I am trying to speak and write the best english I can. Sorry if sometimes it does'nt sound right).
Ok now I am still having the same problem related to the starter. Seems to me that the engine compression is too important for the starter power.
I don't think the engine has been modded.
The alternator and battery are good. The battery shows 14V and I replaced the altrrnator rotor last year.
I woul swap the starter for a hi-torque or a more powerful ( 1.8k to 2.4 kw ). I think the rebuilt starter in the bike is a 1.4 but not totally sure.
What do you guys think ?

Thnx
Jack

 

If battery passes a load test; manual or auto compression releases. EZ start cams will work as well.

Treat the cause, not the symptom.

 

Agree with Max... Have you also tried a compression test?

 

No. I presume either high comp or weak starter.
May be battery weak on load though it s only 2 years old. I lldo the logic: battery load test, and comp test.

So after you a stock 1.4k starter can t be a problem on a stock engine ?

 

Have you talked to your son about his moods? If you list them it would be a great help... Especially the year and engine size...

 

What, now we're offering psychoanalysis?

 

No..... ****ing auto correct bullshit... Mods......
**** I can't even handle my own problems.....

 

If you do the compression test, it should tell you if there are engine mods done to the motor. I have a bigger bore and pistons which raises the compression of my dyna. The stock starter will start it but it does struggle a bit. When the bike is hot, it is even more of a struggle and that lead me to compression releases, and a different starting procedure when I restart it hot.
You didn't mention when it happens...always, when the first cold start of the day, after you gas up and the engine is hot...?
I keep my bikes on a tender all the time if they are not ridden. To me, the batteries seem to last longer when kept fully charged. If yours is not on a tender and only gets charged when ridden, then the 2 year old battery might be weak.
A bit more background info would help a lot.

 

Ok. My son didn't modify the motor but he bought the bike used so maybe the previous owner did.
It is a dyna supetglide FXD 88 cu in. When cold, there is a small delay b4 the starter starts (!) to turn. When hot, sometimes there s only a click that can be heard. After a while keeping the finger on the starter switch, it starts to turn rather rapidly and the engine starys. Btw, I replaced the starter relay.
Thanx buddies

 

How you checked the battery at rest? If it's an older FXD with the TC88 there is a good chance it's carbed, that leads to the charging system, i.e. my 02 carbed FXD will have at charge rate at idle of around 13.2V and above 2400 rpms at 14.4V. Tooling around town at a low rpm the battery is getting a surface charge and that charge is removed on the next start. Keep the rpms up and you'll keep the charge rate up.