Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: megawatt
cj_slowdown,
When my Hitachi starter craps out I will look seriously at the All ***** replacement. I tried a Spyke starter but it was a disappointment.
How much did the All ***** cost? I think you mentioned it in one of your posts but I thought I'd just ask here. I would use the exact same one you are using...only, I hope I don't need to have any holes redrilled like you did but if I do, I'll just do it. Thanks for posting the part number.
javalen,
I hope you get your problem fixed. Please post whatever you do to solve the puzzle, I'm kinda curious.
cj_slowdown,
When my Hitachi starter craps out I will look seriously at the All ***** replacement. I tried a Spyke starter but it was a disappointment.
How much did the All ***** cost? I think you mentioned it in one of your posts but I thought I'd just ask here. I would use the exact same one you are using...only, I hope I don't need to have any holes redrilled like you did but if I do, I'll just do it. Thanks for posting the part number.
javalen,
I hope you get your problem fixed. Please post whatever you do to solve the puzzle, I'm kinda curious.
It is amazing how that little sucker cranks !! that is why I am going with the Odyssey PC545 battery, I found out about them here, I got a deal and it ran me $105, a few months ago I could have gotten it for $85, this model has the exact dimensions as the FX hd battery, but this has more cranking power and is heavier more lead.
Ride safe
cj
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: RKCustom2005
I wouldn't dwell over the 96 vs 93 inch decision. I went with the 93 S&S kit on my 79 LowRider and have the exact same issues.Most of the time since the build I have had to use the kickstarter but have alwaybeen trying to fix the electric start.
I replaced stock starter with Spyke Hi-torque starter and new cables for positive and ground.The bike now turns over better than itever has but I wouldn't say it is great. Luckily the bike has always started really easy (meaningthe bikeonly has to turnover slowly and it will start) I may have to try some things that cj has mentioned below because he has seemed to have much better success with the all ***** starter and theall copper cables.
Battery is a great place to start though. Make sure you buy a good brand battery (I went with an interstate). Ionce tried a no name and had to return it the next day.
Also, given that you haven't got the bike to fire, make sure the timing is set correctly. If the timing is off, it can cause the same issue.
Good Luck.
I wouldn't dwell over the 96 vs 93 inch decision. I went with the 93 S&S kit on my 79 LowRider and have the exact same issues.Most of the time since the build I have had to use the kickstarter but have alwaybeen trying to fix the electric start.
I replaced stock starter with Spyke Hi-torque starter and new cables for positive and ground.The bike now turns over better than itever has but I wouldn't say it is great. Luckily the bike has always started really easy (meaningthe bikeonly has to turnover slowly and it will start) I may have to try some things that cj has mentioned below because he has seemed to have much better success with the all ***** starter and theall copper cables.
Battery is a great place to start though. Make sure you buy a good brand battery (I went with an interstate). Ionce tried a no name and had to return it the next day.
Also, given that you haven't got the bike to fire, make sure the timing is set correctly. If the timing is off, it can cause the same issue.
Good Luck.
The reason I lucked out with any starting issues is I had help, I heard the horror stories from a guy who has seen them over and over at this independent dealer, not just hi compression engines, he said in his own words, change them junk cables you have, clean the mounting areas of all connections, get a good battery maintain it well over the winter, be sure you have a good starter and solenoid, I really don’t know Spyke Hi-torque starters first hand but they are a name brand should be just as good, anyway this guys bike had a hard starting problem before he change out his cables, I just remembered years back I needed a new ground cable, the one off the battery to the frame, no more than 6 inches long the one I took off was decades old, could hardly bend it, the new one I could tie in a bow : - )))
Funny I was going with a Interstate gel mat battery since hd gel mats have let me down recently, then I found out about this Odyssey battery made in the USA made to work years 3 to 5, yeah cost a bit more but they all are costing more, this battery is made to a Mil spec can take vibration and has better capacity of any battery in it’s class, one of the features it has, it will let one know when it is getting weak or run down, it doesn’t just cut off and die, like gel mats do,I like that since I don’t have a kick starter any longer, and my luck if it goes is I’ll be a flat ground for miles !!! : - ))
Ride safe,
cj
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: javalen
cj_slowdown can you recommend acoil? I am going to replace all of my electrical components.
cj_slowdown can you recommend acoil? I am going to replace all of my electrical components.
“can you recommend a coil? I am going to replace all of my electrical components.”
I can only tell you what I got with my S&S engine, it came with a single fire ignition theirs, yeah I just got the S&S coil, sorry, if your going with a new system I would stick with the brand of ignition ?
ride safe,
cj
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
Thanks for tips CJ. I was thinking about starting with the cables you mentioned. I did replace both of the cables recently (or I guess it was 4 years ago already!), however, I believe I picked them up at the local automotive store - definately not premium cables you mentioned. Just bought the interstate battery last season, but will look into the odyessy battery once this one goes.I think it is very close toworking OK, so the premium cables may just put it over the edge to make it crank just a little better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: RKCustom2005
Thanks for tips CJ. I was thinking about starting with the cables you mentioned. I did replace both of the cables recently (or I guess it was 4 years ago already!), however, I believe I picked them up at the local automotive store - definately not premium cables you mentioned. Just bought the interstate battery last season, but will look into the odyessy battery once this one goes.I think it is very close toworking OK, so the premium cables may just put it over the edge to make it crank just a little better.
Thanks for tips CJ. I was thinking about starting with the cables you mentioned. I did replace both of the cables recently (or I guess it was 4 years ago already!), however, I believe I picked them up at the local automotive store - definately not premium cables you mentioned. Just bought the interstate battery last season, but will look into the odyessy battery once this one goes.I think it is very close toworking OK, so the premium cables may just put it over the edge to make it crank just a little better.
“I was thinking about starting with the cables you mentioned. I did replace both of the cables recently (or I guess it was 4 years ago already!), however, I believe I picked them up at the local automotive store - definately not premium cables you mentioned. Just bought the interstate battery last season, but will look into the odyessy battery once this one goes. I think it is very close to working OK, so the premium cables may just put it over the edge to make it crank just a little better.”
Yeah those cables are not your ordinarily cables you pick up at hd or an auto store, man I am in the electrical business and they really impressed me, once you buy these you never have to replace them, one other life lesson I learned some years back don’t be in a hurry getting your ride back together a friend I mine use a chrome bolt (he couldn’t find the original bolt) for his ground cable bolted to the frame (this has happen to me years ago also : ) just temp I use it just temporary famous last words, anyway chrome really adds to the voltage drop of the cable the more resistance that cable “sees” the less gets to start the bike, he had a weak battery years later and it couldn’t turn over, I happen to be over he had his seat off I said change that bolt, it started, didn’t last that long a few more weeks but it did start, then I showed him the ohms through the chrome bolt vs the steel bolt, he is a believer : - ) don’t forget if you lost them or need replacement get “star washers” I get mine from sears hardware.
Hay I hope your interstate hangs in there I like the brand in fact I have one in my car, it’s a heavy duty battery, good luck with it
Nice shovel you have, real nice !!! think about a single shot when posting on the shovelhead section : - )
Ride well,
cj
To anyone, I have been there those battery cables do cost a bunch of money (in part because of the sky high record cost of cooper) but if anyones ride is at the border line of starting it dose make a difference, remember your cable from the other side of the solenoid to the starter, it’s better to measure the cables real good, for the best fit and why buy more $cable$ then you need : - )
[col
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
Thanks for comments on the bike (you should have seen it when I bought it!)- I figure if I don't at least have both bikes in the sig, my username will make no sense :-).
And you've sold me on the cables - I'll be picking some up soon.
And you've sold me on the cables - I'll be picking some up soon.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: RKCustom2005
Thanks for comments on the bike (you should have seen it when I bought it!)- I figure if I don't at least have both bikes in the sig, my username will make no sense :-).
And you've sold me on the cables - I'll be picking some up soon.
Thanks for comments on the bike (you should have seen it when I bought it!)- I figure if I don't at least have both bikes in the sig, my username will make no sense :-).
And you've sold me on the cables - I'll be picking some up soon.
“RKCustom2005”
“Thanks for comments on the bike (you should have seen it when I bought it!) - I figure if I don't at least have both bikes in the sig, my username will make no sense :-). “
Hay seen it when you bought it ? yeah let me guess Time and Money cures anything right ? : - ))
“And you've sold me on the cables - I'll be picking some up soon.”
I don’t think you will regret it, I may have been a little **** about the workings of the starting system, but this comes from someone who has “depended on a kicker” for decades and now ? doesn’t have one : - )
Ride safe,
cj
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
Hay seen it when you bought it ? yeah let me guess Time and Money cures anything right ? : - ))
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: Do I need a more powerful batery for my new hot set up
ORIGINAL: RKCustom2005
Yeah thats right.It was completly stock (bike was sitting outside and needed a lot of tlc) when I bought it. I think the previuos owner's philosophy was that if it broke and wasn't needed to run, he threwthe broken partover the fence. I actually took a night job at the local bike shop. Was paid part in cash, part in parts and got all partsat cost.I also used many of the original parts - just cut, grinded (e.g. like the reflector squares off the front lower forks),chromed, powdercoatedandpolished!
Hay seen it when you bought it ? yeah let me guess Time and Money cures anything right ? : - ))
“RKCustom2005”
“Yeah thats right. It was completly stock (bike was sitting outside and needed a lot of tlc) when I bought it. I think the previuos owner's philosophy was that if it broke and wasn't needed to run, he threw the broken part over the fence. I actually took a night job at the local bike shop. Was paid part in cash, part in parts and got all parts at cost. I also used many of the original parts - just cut, grinded (e.g. like the reflector squares off the front lower forks), chromed, powder coated and polished!”
Sitting outside ??? damn, I will never understand that ? bikes get beat just sitting outside, “threw the part over the fence” : - )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ok, I think I am done laughing ! : - )))))))))))))))))) no wait !!! good one !
Man you really wanted to fix her up nice taking a job at a bike shop and smart too !
Them damn reflector squares know them well, lived with them on my lower fork slides since ’81, believe me the finish on them in no way is like it is today ! I also wanted to get them chromed, but it was the money back then, well since I broke the number one rule in hopping up a bike (up in power, up the braking) this year those slides are off !
Got a “take off pair” (traded-in for a chrome pair) 41mm off a dealer paid $20 for the pair, they were so nice and still had the lacquer factory coat I almost didn’t have them chromed, ahhh almost : - ))
So it’s afront end this year, couldn’t do it last year ran out of money with the new engine and tranny, so this year is a new 4 piston front brake ! I had (so nice that word, HAD) twin calibers factory original, so bad but not as bad as the original rear !!!
[font="times new roman"][color=#0000cc][size=3]A new Custom Cycle Engineering Mid-Glide Tree (man, did I dream of them things in the 80’s) and the one thing I said Iwould never buy ? a Headwinds headlight ! I said never because of the price who the hell would ever pay 300 bucks for a headlight housing ??? not me !! today, I am buying a 400 buck headlight
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ubreal
Touring Models
15
Jul 31, 2009 02:38 PM
