a small problem and could use some tips for new harley owner
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city
a small problem and could use some tips for new harley owner
Hey guys just a few questions here for the long time harley owners or people that know what there talking about. Im new to owning a harley so I dont know if this is normal or what I have a 08 Dyna Superglide with 3057 miles. Mods are Vance and Hines short shots a screaming eagle intake engine guards with highway pegs. Well here is my question my bike seems like it has a hard time starting meaning it doesnt seem like its getting enough juice from the battery. Just yesterday I went to the store I came back out to start the bike up it turned over a little bit then It just went completley dead so I got under the bike and moved the battery wires a little bit and the power came back on and it started up but still struggled. I got home took the battery cover off and checked the battery wires and noticed that there was creeses in them and it looked like they were placed in the wrong spot so I put them where I think they are supposed to be and bought a battery charger and it charged the battery fully in about 20 minutes my thought is I dont think this is the battery at all I think it is the cables. If it is the cables are they expensive to replace how much are we talking here? Also my second question are harleys supposed to start right up or does it take a bit for them to start up. Im used of crotch rockets they start up really quick. Any pointers here to help me out would be much appreciated or any pointers in general to a new harley owner would be much appreciated. I thought about changing the clutch cables as well nothing is wrong with them but they are stock and the harley shop said eventually I should change them. Thanks in advance all and sorry for the long read
The battery can be checked easily enough. Replacing the battery cables isn't expensive, but I'd first check terminal connections for being clean/tight.
Having a Service Manual is always handy, as are the Parts & Electrical Diagnostic manuals.
Having a Service Manual is always handy, as are the Parts & Electrical Diagnostic manuals.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
With battery cables clean and tight at all connections, a overnight cold EFI engine will start relatively quick, within a couple of seconds, a warm engine will usually require a few revolutions then should fire. Now providing you have a fuel management system installed and properly tuned for the exhaust and intake you shouldn't be have the problems. The best battery charger is a "smart tender " type, it charges up to a predetermined level the stops and floats until it senses a voltage drop and charges automatically. Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the forum.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city
Ok thanks guys. The bike was tuned at the dealer for the new pipes and intake. I dont know maybe im being paranoid but I do know that when I came back outside from the store to start it up it shouldnt of went completley dead and messing with the battery wires a little bit start up again its just weird although it hasent done it again. The bad thing is when I tell the maintnence department at harley about it they said well it seems fine cuz it doesnt do it in front of them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Mine actually starts rough when cold and fires right up when warm, but that was because of my powercommander. I still need to mess with my fuel settings for cold starts. If you have a aftermarket air cleaner and exhaust you more then likely have some type of EFI module. Before you get a new battery clean and tighten the connectors and terminals as mention above. If that doesn't do the trick check for shorted cables with probably the jacket was rubbed off. Another thing is try starting the bike while the bike is still priming. So switch to run and hear the pump for 1 sec then hit the starter before the priming stops. Sometimes the EFI modules screw with starting and to get rid of it may need a Dyno tune. Before that though if none of the other things I mentioned worked I would replace the battery. These battery's if they are just slightly weak it won't start your bike as desired.
Your bike should fire right up like your rockets did, once it's 100% right. Mine did till I did the PCV. Not it fires right up when it's warm, but not cold. I just haven't got to messing with it yet.
Your bike should fire right up like your rockets did, once it's 100% right. Mine did till I did the PCV. Not it fires right up when it's warm, but not cold. I just haven't got to messing with it yet.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Ok thanks guys. The bike was tuned at the dealer for the new pipes and intake. I dont know maybe im being paranoid but I do know that when I came back outside from the store to start it up it shouldnt of went completley dead and messing with the battery wires a little bit start up again its just weird although it hasent done it again. The bad thing is when I tell the maintnence department at harley about it they said well it seems fine cuz it doesnt do it in front of them.
Of course that happens. Stick to the advice here because it's helped me tons with other things and I haven't found a HD dealership service department that doesn't look at you like you're a stupid customer. Most suck!!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city
what is an EFI module and what does it do? What is a power commander and what does it do. I do have after market pipes and air cleaner. Thanks guys lots of great info. Although I do not think I will be able to do maintnence myself I dont know the first thing about working on harleys. By the way the bike does vibrate like a **** my wife could prolly get an ****** just from sitting on it while its on lol.
