I bought my FXD in July of this year, and every time I went to start it, it would turn over once, lug (as if under a compression stroke), and then fire right up. I put a trickle charger on it yesterday, partly for the winter, and partly because I wanted to make sure the battery was always good to go as I don't get to ride it a whole lot - about once a week or two.

After the trickle charge stated it was fully charged, I went to try it and it turned over hard and then I got the dreaded starter clicking. It was about 35 - 40 degrees in the garage.

Could the cold have affected a battery that was maybe already weak? When I let it sit a second, it would turn over quickly again, but then die out pretty fast. I pulled the battery, but the date was not marked. I called All-American Harley and they have a couple in stock. I'm swinging by there this morning to grab one. I hope that is the only issue.

 

Most likely the battery though it's still so new. You say trickle charger, but I'm wondering if you mean battery tender. If not, get one, attach the wiring to the existing (or new) battery, and use the plug in connection for the battery tender all the time when not riding. It makes a BIG difference. It also works wonders for the Deere in the garage too.

 

Thanks. "Tender" is exactly what I meant. I picked up a couple of Deltran tenders for my and my wife's bikes. I wired them up yesterday, which is when I noticed the problem (I hadn't started the bike in a couple of weeks).

 

Yeah the battery tenders are worth their weight in gold...when there used, lol! What year fxd is yours? It might just be time to replace the battery. Whenever I don't ride mine for any length of time it goes on the tender, and after 4yrs it fires right up.

 

It's a 2000, but I'm not sure if/when the original battery may have been replaced. As you stated, it's probably about time for a new one...

 

It needs a load test done on it.A lot of your auto part stores will do it for free.

 

Just because the simple things can bite your ***... check to make sure the connections are tight.