EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Fatboy won't start. Clicking sound.

Old Jul 9, 2016 | 07:50 PM
  #21  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Originally Posted by texashillcountry
With the numbers you provided it sounds like your volt meter is reading about .25 volts too high.
If that is the case then when the button is pressed you only have 10.85-11.25v.
In that case your battery sounds weak.
Depends how long the bike was off. You may read 13 volts if it has not been off for long. Best to wait 8 hours or next day, then read battery it should be 12.7.

But still comes back to is battery or charging.

His battery is new. But some guy sure fo through batteries, maybe hot climate, don't ride them, or cheap. I get 9 years, and don't use tenders. My neighbor buys odd ball batteries and swears you need to replace every year.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 09:05 PM
  #22  
Owtlaw's Avatar
Owtlaw
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Zerk
Shouldn't you be closer to 100volts ac when reving, atleast 70-80, if memory serves.
Nope. He's in the ballpark.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 09:15 PM
  #23  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Originally Posted by Owtlaw
Nope. He's in the ballpark.
Not for TCs.

20 Volts per 1000 rpms, is ballpark, more for 45 amp little less for 38 amp alternators.

Just looked in my 01 electric manual. Which is still single phase.

Somebody needs to chime in with an Evo. I could be wrong, since I have TCs, but I doubt it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 09:21 PM
  #24  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Originally Posted by Owtlaw
Nope. He's in the ballpark.


No.





Originally Posted by 89FLHT
EVO Charging

The first thing to check if you suspect a charging problem is the battery and the wires attached to it. If the wires are loose, make sure to tighten them up. If you see any corrosion, disconnect them and clean them off with a wire brush before re-attaching. Check each cell on the motorcycle battery to make sure the electrolyte is covering the plates, if not, carefully add distilled water until the fluid reaches the "top" line on the side of the battery. If your battery is less than fully charged, use a low amperage charger (1 to 3 amps) and charge it until the indicator says it's full. If it doesn't take a full charge, replace it with a new one.

When your wires are clean and secure and the battery fully charged, you can get started checking the system. Perform the following checks:

Battery: Turn ohmeter to the DC Volts setting that can read 12V or more. With your motorcycle off, read from Positive to Negative making sure the Red is +, Black is -- If battery is good you should get about 12.5 to 13.5 volts

Charging: Using same multimeter range, start the motorcycle and run RPM's up to above idle.Voltage should increase to several volts above initial reading, usually to about 14.7 V Voltage should not go much higher than 14.7 V. If voltage goes alot higher when you rev the engine, you could be overcharging due to a voltage reg problem. If voltage doesn't change, your motorcycle is not charging.

Stator: If your motorcycle is not charging, you need to check the stator. Locate the plug for the stator on the front of the engine block. Switch the multimeter to OHMS range on the lowest setting, usually 10 ohms. With the motorcycle off, read between the 2 pins or holes in the block. These should show continuity. If your meter is accurate you could read 1 to 3 ohms, but cheaper meters will not be that accurate. As long there is continuity it passes this test.

Now change the setting on the multimeter to the highest OHM range like 100K. Touch one probe to a pin or hole in the engine, the other to the engine case or a metal bolt on the engine. The meter should not move. Try the other pin the same way and it also shouldn't move. If you get any reading the stator is shorted and must be replaced. This requires special tools and you should consider taking it to a shop. If you get no movement on the meter, it's not shorted out so you need to check for output.

To check for output, change multimeter to AC Volts setting over 100 Volts. With the alternator plug disconnected, start the bike. Use the probes (not polarity sensitive) to read between the pins or holes in the engine block. You should read about 20V per 1000 rpm's. At idle expect about 25V, as you rev the engine it will increase to 60 or 70 Volts. If it does your stator is OK, if you get no output the stator is bad and you will need to replace it or take it to a shop.

Voltage Regulator: If your stator is not shorted to ground and has the proper output, your regulator is most likely the culprit. If your stator checks out OK but battery voltage doesn't increase when the motorcycle is running, the regulator isn't doing it's job and needs to be replaced. It's an easy swap, just make sure you bring the old one with you to make sure they give you the correct unit. If the battery voltage goes too high when you rev the motorcycle the regulator isn't limiting the voltage and again it needs replacement
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ml#post9808654


https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...RPM+harley+evo
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 09:23 PM
  #25  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Best thing to do is get an electric manual. I dont have one for both my bikes, havent needed it yet for 07. 2nd is google and reads lots of stuff.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 09:27 PM
  #26  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Originally Posted by rainsong
Okay, checked it. Stator seems to be putting out voltage fine. Around 20ish-30ish volts while revving the bike.
?
Sounds like stator or rotor is your problem. Stator are only around $200, but lots of work. Rotors are a bit more. Probably stator.

You can ohm stator leads and check resistance. I don't know specs. If memory serves there should a value between leads and infinite each lead to ground. Or the other way, I forget. But I think the first one.

Time to think about getting a new belt while you are that far. Primary bearing? Cheap, I would do it.


It is a bit of an undertaking time wise, so go over everything good, make sure something is not missing.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 10:02 PM
  #27  
texashillcountry's Avatar
texashillcountry
Dirt don't hurt
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Zerk
Depends how long the bike was off. You may read 13 volts if it has not been off for long. Best to wait 8 hours or next day, then read battery it should be 12.7.

But still comes back to is battery or charging.

His battery is new.
Just because it's new doesn't mean it's good.
I have had new batteries that were bad off the shelf.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 10:03 PM
  #28  
RebelBugler's Avatar
RebelBugler
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
Default

Double check the ground wire from the starter to the frame. I had a similar issue on a 99 Sportster that was an intermittent but recurring problem. Everything would test great and the bike would run perfect...and then unexpectedly, I'd go to start it and all I would get is a clicking sound. It just about drove me to drink

It turns out the terminal of the ground wire was very rusted and just about making contact with the ground wire itself. Due to its location, it wasn't particularly accessible or easy to inspect. The slighest bump or vibration would cause the connection to be broken or greatly weakened.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 10:05 PM
  #29  
Zerk's Avatar
Zerk
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 833
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Default

Originally Posted by texashillcountry
Just because it's new doesn't mean it's good.
I have had new batteries that were bad off the shelf.
Not impossible.

But he said he got 20 volts AC when revving bike. So that says he is not charging.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2016 | 10:23 PM
  #30  
texashillcountry's Avatar
texashillcountry
Dirt don't hurt
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Default

Originally Posted by rainsong
I followed through this whole sticky...

Everything seems to check out except for when I rev it.

While revving the bike, no change happens in voltage (stays around 12.7)
Missed this the first time around.

Originally Posted by Zerk
Not impossible.

But he said he got 20 volts AC when revving bike. So that says he is not charging.
I gotta agree that he needs a stator.

Hey rainsong take off the derby cover and give the primary a sniff.
Do you smell anything?? A strong burnt smell indicates your stator is done.

I have a 27v 3 phase Cycle Electric system for a EVO softail new in the box that I bought and never used.

PM if you're interested.
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:21 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE