Melting Battery Terminal
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
All good advice. And if the cables are good, connections are good, I'm thinking the starter is about shot. Having an 86 myself, I replaced the starter with an All ***** and it's great. Spins that motor like a top now.
I would also suggest measuring the current going through the battery cable when you crank it. I have the top of the line Harbor Freight clamp on digital multimeter, and it will read DC Amps, peak and instantaneous. Should be around 100 amps peak. If it's 200, there's your problem (starter.)
I would also suggest measuring the current going through the battery cable when you crank it. I have the top of the line Harbor Freight clamp on digital multimeter, and it will read DC Amps, peak and instantaneous. Should be around 100 amps peak. If it's 200, there's your problem (starter.)
Last edited by Dr.Hess; May 21, 2021 at 02:31 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'd replace the big flex ground strap underneath just because. Corrosion you won't see plays havoc with conductivity. Wire brush all grounding points and problem bikes I use thin star washers between the cable & ground points.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 9,913
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
Just Because .
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 156
Likes: 82
From: Harrisburg, PA
Since I always get disappointed when a help thread doesn't resolve with the final solution, I thought I'd bring some closure to this one. Starter. It had an aftermarket All ***** starter that was pulling too much amperage. I could hear it engage, but it would just make a whining noise even after letting off the start button. Then it would suddenly kick over after a few seconds. Well a new stock style starter fixed it right up. When I took the old starter apart it smelled horrible and had a lot of dust in there that resembled brake dust. Some insulating material of some sort that got overheated maybe?
I had considered the possibility that my new batteries had insufficient CCA ratings. It wasn't the case for me, but be aware that some of these aftermarket high torque starters require stronger batteries and fatter cables.
I had considered the possibility that my new batteries had insufficient CCA ratings. It wasn't the case for me, but be aware that some of these aftermarket high torque starters require stronger batteries and fatter cables.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 713
From: DFW
I hope you contacted All ***** with your receipt/documentation as they do replace their starters - I did this and have their 1.7kW starter. Cost me shipping to them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 692
From: magnolia tx
I've been hearing people having problems with All ***** starters, drawing excessive amps ect, something to look into
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