Sometimes, when i hit the start button on my fxstc instead of starting right up it will cough once and blow out a puff of smoke (seems to be coming from right hand side engine). I then wait a sec, try again and it will start right up. This only happens when its warm. What the hell is that? If its normal behavior cool, i dont care. If its not...if i dont care enough to fix it does it matter? Im lazy, and can fix whatevers wrong probably would just rather not if it dont hurt it. Thanks. This is a 2008 softail custom

 

Probably unburnt fuel from when you turned it off man.

 

EFI or Carbed? If it's carb, are you shutting off the petcock when you park it?

 

What is the battery situation? new , old, lithium?
What type of motor work? factory original?

 

"Coughing" out the carb or throttle body can be indication of a vacuum leak.

 

Its EFI

 

No motor work, original. The battery is unknown....bought the bike two years ago from a dealer and they had no idea how old it was. Probably the battery, thing is weak as F

 

My Fat Boy S used to do that when cold and was often a hard starter. That bike had so many problems that was just one of them.

 

yeah its not really just when its hot. It can happen when its really cold out too and im just starting it first thing in the morning. Normally though its if i stop to get gas, i just know now that the first try to start will result in a cough and a spit out the side....once its got that over with it will start fine. Figured it just the nature of the beast.

 

My 07 which I had since new when cold almost sounds like an explosion when it starts. When hot and stop for gas then restart it acts difficult to turn over the first revolution then fires right up.

Got it in Sept. 06 and am on the second battery.

It has done this all the way through.