Hi guys - have a 2013 Fat Bob that I have owned 2 months. Starting, was to me, a bit sluggish at times (twice it didn't start first go then started) so after owning it 8 days I called the dealer who advised me that Harleys start like this due to high compression - just seems sluggish but it's not sluggish at all (that was the advice). Me.....I thought it was battery.  Dealer also stated if it continues - bring it in and they will look at it (80kms away). Since then it has been a bit funny - but no real issue (I put it down to what's expected given what I was told).

Today it starts fine - ride for a km - stop bike for atm - wont kick over - just a couple of revolutions. Basically dead. Odometer etc in speedo blanked out when attempting to start it as well. (Thinking about it a few times lately when I have started the bike the data returned to the front reading (odometer) whereas I keep it on the gear/rpm screen. It usually stays there however every now and again it reverts to odo when starting .....battery??).

I gave up as I thought it would go 100% dead - left it 10 mins and just managed to start it - phew (and I mean JUST)

Rode 3 kms - seems to be running fine - turn into a street and it cuts out mid-turn (wtf???). Totally stopped. Pulled over (swore like hell) - gave it 2 mins - it fired up and off I went. Was 95% towards my destination so no chance to really test it again.

Yet to ride home....yikes....will be peak hour.

When (if) I get home I will check the terminals (and I did look initially and they were fine) - check voltage with multimeter (did that before and fine) - check under load (if it starts) which I havent done before.

Any ideas?

New to Harleys - no read idea of the charging system and related problems. Looking to buy a new Harley battery tomorrow and seek compensence from the dealer ($192). I rang and put them on notice and they are yet to call me back.

Issue is this - is it the battery??? I havent heard of a bike dying mid turn (2nd gear).

Thoughts?

 

Well when I arrived home the multimeter said 13.9. Dropped to 7.9 fleetingly when starting. I think it history. Sluggish again.

if youre battery is dropping that low when starting then its most likely the culprit as it should not drop below 10 or so volts during cranking.

possibly a faulty cell in the battery

what is your charge rate when the bike is idling? should be around 14.3v

the 13.9v you see on the multimeter upon getting home is more of a surface charge, check it the following morning for a better indication but as you said it drops to 7.9 @ cranking i'd say it's new battery time.

The specific gravity in each cell with a hydrometer is the most accurate way of checking the health / charge of each cell

if you get a new battery, put it on a trickle charger for a good day or so before installing it in the bike + make sure you have a battery tender as well
 

A lazy battery wouldn't normally cause the bike to cut out while the engine was running. Not saying the battery isn't tired but I suspect another intermittent problem like a bad earth, loose battery terminal or dodgy plug connection on the bike somewhere.
Roo.

Make sure the tank mounted ignition switch is clean and clear

They are renowned for corroding , easy to remove and spray clean with WD 40 or similar

Then spray lube "Electrical cleaner and lube"

Cheap as and no parts to buy . only yer own labour.

Been discussed on the forum many times before now

So what was the outcome??

 

Yeah Darryl, what did you find?

Hi guys - thanks for the replies. The battery is still appears a bit sluggish but I'm giving it longer runs each day and it appears better. Will give it a test tomorrow morning. I really feel that the battery is nearing the end of its life so I have purchased a trickle charger to see the difference. I will use it in the future as I have a 5 week trip planned next year and the bike will be idle all that time.
I will look at the ideas you guys have put forward and get back to you.
I found the culprit with the cutting out in the corner - tender has lost its cover and it would have shorted out.
I spoke to my local service DEPT and the bloke said to me that if it's 3 years old it's problem on its way out. The best he ever got was 5 years

Stop dicking around and buy a new battery

I'm with PB

My soft tail had been showing similar symptoms and it wasn't a pleasant feeling going out for a ride not being sure whether it would start again after a stop. No amount of riding or trickle charging could cure it's ills

My local HD dealer was able to test the battery on a machine and give me an actual printout of the battery health.

As a result I bought a new battery and haven't looked back.

Good luck

New battery = cheap insurance.