have a 08 fatboy engine light comes on when i turn switch to the on position
then it goes away fire the engine up and the engine light comes on for a moment
( about 5- 10 seconds) then it goes away. is this normal ?

 

normal. you are supposed to wait for it to go out before starting the engine. did your bike come with an owners manual?

 

I wait until the light goes out and start the engine. Have never noticed it come back on again right after the engine starts, unless I'm just not paying attention.
Tom

 

normal operation, yes wait till it goes out before starting the engine. just worry about it if it comes on while riding.

 

Its called a historic code and will go away after about 50 starts or so, as long as the problem is fixed.

 

He is correct.