could it have a bad starter or loose cables?.. i have seen that dozens of times. acts like a bad batt, problem is a week starter

 

I'm having a similar problem, I inherited a 76 Fatboy shovelhead "project". Long story short, it was overhauled, ridden a couple times, and then parked for a few years. Now I have it and have yet to get it to fire. The starter turns over way too slow and I have yet to get it to catch or, honestly, come close kicking it.... the carb is clean (one of the newest things on the bike), it's spraying good, new fuel, plugs, wires, oil..... one thing I question is the spark timing which I'm going after next but if there are any common problems I'd love to hear them.

 

Change the cam to something with a bit more overlap to drop the cylinder pressure a bit and get an All ***** starter , even then it's going to be a bitch to button start without compression releases . Big Shovels really like dual plugs so it a trade off with the release's and todays gas . I'd also do a complete tune up and retard the timing just a hair back it off to 28 or 30 deg . and see what you get . Close your plug gap down to .030 too .

 

I just love to watch these threads and I'm amazed at the technical know-how that comes out of the woodwork!

 

again-- untill you try them you dont know--- i use the autolite XS-65 in the long reach plugs -- do not touch the gap--- i also use electronic ign. the crane single fire.. point is the XS-65 work like no other plug i have ever tried.. its a "by the seat of your pants" difference.. dual plugs wont give you some H.P. gain but they do help with detonation.. if you run the 8:1 cr like i do in an 80" they help alot..

as far as cams i just dont like the ones that rely on high lift-- those cams are constant velocity cams -- the andrews "A" is only a .450 lift ..those cams have no real duration and run out of power.. the "B" is a .485 -- i run a leinweber L3S its a .485 lift and a fast ramp cam. and NOISY --- the regular rider who wants his valves/guides to last is best using a cam like a sifton(check the cam gear) -- a #101 can be run with hyd its a 410 lift -- my fav is the #116 easy on your starter -- and has loads of power and smooth idle and its only a .400 lift -- the 102 and the 103 are .390 lift those are the old .412 the 103 has more top end -- the #112 is the .440 lots of people have used this cam. ya find most of these in a 80" -- i think the #116 is the best choice... just my 2 cents..