Starting Issues

[BuffaloBig Dog]

I have a 2002 Bulldog..Just had the starter shimmed back into specs..betweem .075 and .125........New battery installed, speedo sensor too.....Picked up bike , started fine, brought it home, about 4 miles away...After sitting, about 2 hours, went to start it, and just had solenoid clicks...I put it on charger overnight, pulled it off in morning..Fired right up !! Taking it back to shop, it started to run rough, then just cut out...Possibly cause was near bottom of tank of gas..Got it to shop..Started fineabout 10x.....Went, got gas, rode about 30 mi...Came home, tried it 2 hours later, still grind the first start, but fired right up? Any clue to what the heck is all going on here???

 

[erldawg]

Sooooo does it grind when you hit the start button or just click.

If it's just clicking electrical problemos...

If grinding then starter issues. What was it doing before you had the starter re-shimed?

 

[X-ray Doc]

Is it the starter clicking, or the starter relay under the gas tank? This year of bike
had starter relays, which are known for problems. You can get at any harley shop
not expensive.

 

[BuffaloBig Dog]

Before I had it shimmed, once in a blue moon it would grind when trying to start, id wait a sec, try again, then fine...

 

[BuffaloBig Dog]

I had a new battery installed when I had all the work done..After the issue, I left charger on overnight, and since then, no problems..Been about5 days, and about 50 miles......Maybe just a battery issue?

 

[Brew]

What kind of battery? Sometimes new batteries might not be strong enough to start these big cubic engines unless you get a good one with some high cold cranking amps... Just saying

 

[BuffaloBig Dog]

It was a drag specialty battery , with 310 cca.....Was supposed to get the Ballistic battery with 420 cca, but they arent shipping anymore out due to some problems witht hem...So far so good with starting..Im thinking it was just a low charged battery I got..Now that its all charged, its good...Or just something electrically intermittent...Time will tell...Thankx to all that responded..

 

[pknowles]

Might want to keep it on a tender while not riding. Most do.

 

[cvegmond]

A Battery Tender is a must. I attach it every night IF I don't expect to ride the next day.

You definintely have a power issue, not fuel. Check the tightness of the battery terminals and the ground to the primary. The bolt that holds the ground strap to the inner primary on my K-9 has had a history of breaking the strap and coming loose.

 

[BuffaloBig Dog]

Thankx for the insight..Going to go thru with a fine tooth comb

 

[Deathstar88]

i have almost the same exact problem ! never used a tender in my life.... and battery is about a year old