I have a 2017 Street Bob with 29k miles that’s been sitting for most of the last 2 to 2-1/2 years. I checked the bike over over the long weekend, everything looked good, took it out for a 5 mile ride or so, got home stopped & it wouldn’t start back up, put it on the charger just to make sure still nothing, let it sit for a few hours went back and it started just fine, started the bike up the other day 4x started fine, started it up yesterday drove to my garage parked it and it wouldn’t start again 🤔. Any ideas? I was thinking maybe the relay but now I’m hearing possible the starter solenoid.
thank you for any help.

 

A test light, volt meter and a Factory Service manual is what you need to properly diagnose.. You need to follow the starting circuit in the electrical diagrams to find where you're losing voltage..
Not trying to be a smart *** here . Anyone can suggest possibly this part possibly that part but you just throwing money at it without properly diagnosing that's all I'm getting at..
I've owned Factory Service Manuals for every bike I've ever owned..

 

By far the most common cause for hard starting is a weak battery. Riding for 5 miles doesn't charge the battery, it actually does the opposite. If it's been sitting for a couple of years you need to charge it up and get it load tested.

 

What do you mean by "won't start"? Ignition turned on, run/stop switch in run position, you hit the starter button and what? Nothing? It cranks but won't catch? It clicks and lights flicker? Any stored codes?

 

Yeah hitting the starter switch get nothing no sounds no nothing. The battery is just a couple of months old so it should be good but maybe I should get it load tested. If I was planning on keeping this bike I would maybe go get a factory manual but I have a ‘22 Street Glide that I mostly ride now. 😎

 

Good suggestions on how to start diagnosing the issue. Since it was just running, you might try a few simple things first.

I would guess you have security, is the fob working?
Check the battery connections to make sure they are clean and tight on the battery as well as grounds. Could have come loose on your ride.

When you turn it on, do you have any normal lights and dash lights? Or is the bike dead? Check these simple things and let us know where your at.

Tom

 

Sorry haven’t figured out how to reply on this forum 🤔. I do not have security on this bike, lights / horn all work all seems normal except I get nothing from hitting the starter switch when the bike is warmed.

I just went out to start the bike… nothing initially then I moved a couple of wires and it started… so now a start to attempt to track down a bad wire.