Morning all, I bought a 1985 FLTC and since I've owned it it's turns over very slow when I start it. I thought it was the battery as I didn't know the age so I bought a new battery and still the same. I took the new battery back and had it load tested and it was good so I put it on the charger and fully charged it with the same results. I bought a new starter but have yet to replace it but am thinking it probably is just corroded at the ground points and need a good cleaning. Any thoughts?

 

Replace your cables. Sumax makes very good heavy duty cables.

Take a look at some of the stickies also.

 

Has the motor been built? Does it have higher than normal compression....? Cause that'll do it.... The thing about an older used bike is that you'll never get all the info on it as to what's been changed or upgraded... Do a compression test....

 

Adding a second relay to fix the dreaded click

Mine was slow to start and I added the relay and have not had a problem since.

 

Had that problem was the small wiring running to and from the start button. Ended up replacing it but until I got to it I installed a relay button on the started and bypassed it all worked great. If I ever have a low battery it will help crank it over.

 

Not to high jack here... I was thinking of doing this also but what if one relay craps out, it still won't crank? Is that correct ? Curious.. don't have a problem, just preventative maintenance I think.

 

It might also be worth cleaning the ignition switch.

 

Then Don't Kevin...... LOL...... How you doing buddy... You gonna meet up this year?

 

I probably won't know until that week, but I would really like to go.

 

This might be a stupid question but what motor is in that bike? I believe some of the early 1985s were shovels, maybe shovel bottom end and EVO top end. Anyway, if it's a shovel, turning over slowly is fairly normal. My shovel groans and struggles but still comes to life.

carl