Slow start
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 11,096
From: San Diego, CA
I know many have stated not to trust the voltage gage on bike, but I'm thinking the consistency of the reading in different processes might give info.
ex: ignition on reading with new battery is always a little over 12v.
When slow turn over, below 10v.
Yesterday at noon with temp 75, hit starter and maybe 11v, very fast.
While idling, little over 14v.
15 MI use ride to gym, then 1 hour later ignitioignitilityle over 13v.
Unrelated but was wondering about a lighter weight oil in winter since when temp is warmer it fires up fast. This dispels my theory starter could be the problem, right?
also dispels battery since a short ride bike charges battery up as it should. Wouldn't a bad cell prevent this?
Food for thought.
ex: ignition on reading with new battery is always a little over 12v.
When slow turn over, below 10v.
Yesterday at noon with temp 75, hit starter and maybe 11v, very fast.
While idling, little over 14v.
15 MI use ride to gym, then 1 hour later ignitioignitilityle over 13v.
Unrelated but was wondering about a lighter weight oil in winter since when temp is warmer it fires up fast. This dispels my theory starter could be the problem, right?
also dispels battery since a short ride bike charges battery up as it should. Wouldn't a bad cell prevent this?
Food for thought.
Not necessarily.....
Work from the power source outward. Be thorough, be systematic, and be persistent. Don't guess when trouble shooting, check and verify, then move on..
Get the battery properly load tested. That is the best way to know for sure, what the battery condition is.. .
If you get a good load test, then check the cables, both at the battery and at the other ends. You are looking for clean, tight connections. Look closely at the cables where crimped to the lugs. Inspect for possible separation under the insulation.
If the cables are good, then check your charging circuit. The regulator and the stator are both easy checks with multi-meter. The procedures are posted here and all over the internet both in documents and videos. Just make sure you watch a video from someone who knows what they are doing. I've been seeing a buch of videos lately from yahoos who are clueless. If you watch several videos, you can usually figure out who is clueless... Anyone can make a video these days..
Once you know the battery, cables, and charging circuits are good, then you can check things like the starter solenoid, starter, etc...
Electrical issues can be a pain in the a$$.... not my favorite issues to deal with, and certainly not my expertise... but I can get through them if I have to...
I believe you mentioned taking it to a shop earlier in the thread. There is no shame in that... as Dirty Harry says, "A man's got to know his limitations". I have gradually and often grudgingly taken over all aspects of my motorcycle maintenance and repair with the exception of mounting tires. I often think about just once in awhile passing the buck to a good independent shop I know. But that would just be lazy on my part.
If you take it to a shop, make sure to report back what they find...
Good luck with your diagnosis
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,142
From: Las Vegas
My money still says there's nothing wrong with your bike. Without daily riding or being on a tender parasitic draw will drag it down and slow the starting sequence. Cool/cold weather exacerbates this.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 820
Likes: 488
From: LA Ca.
FWIW: I had a slow crank issue on my Dyna. I always thought it cranked slower than it should since I got the bike. Changed battery, checked cables and did all the things to narrow down the issue. I had a slightly separate issue that I thought was the starter bendix (not the compensater). Changed starter and no slow cranking or start up issues since.
Just my 2 cents,
Tom
Just my 2 cents,
Tom
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 32
From: Tucson
After lengthy discussion with service manager it appears nothing wrong g with the bike and it's the cooler temp making for harder rank. I suggested rotella 5w/40 synthetic and he thinks that will solve it. Tomorrow oil change. Will report results by Saturday. This makes the most sense to me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,277
Likes: 7,756
From: West Central FL
You should probably install one.
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