Starting to get this issue with my 2015 Iron 883. Can't find any other useful videos on TH-cam until I stumbled upon your video. Finally, someone having the same issue. Thanks for the information and video!
Josh you are a star! I have a 2015 xl1200x Forty Eight in the UK. Started having exactly the same issues and you have saved me tons of time and loads of money. UK dealerships charge through the ass and claim all sorts for new and unnecessary parts. Prior to even disconnecting the ground strap and cleaning, I tried squirting electrical cleaner/contact spray. The bike from an almost flat battery fired up immediately. I will now do the proper clean of the terminal but you were spot on and thanks again from across the pond!
No problem brother. Why I made the video your prolly the 20th person to have this help. Just hit the sub button for us. We have a turbo v rod nightrod special now. Ride safe!
Josh, this video was a godsend for me. 2918 Iron 1200 with exact starting issue. Cleaned the ground cable fixings back to copper and she fired up straight away. A 7/16th stubby open ended spanner can undo the post but (just!) without disassembling anything else. Again, many thanks for sharing this. From the UK 👍
Hmmmm..... I'm going to have to look into this. I never had any kind of issue with my '06 Sportster 1200 until one day the negative terminal on my battery straight up and cracked on me. I had a new battery sitting in the shed just waiting for something like this to happen, so I had my wife drive it out to me and I got it installed. Ever since then it has had a slow start. It was getting toward the end of the fall when this happened to me, so I just blamed it on colder weather or maybe a weaker battery, but now that I think about it, there was a lot of tugging and pulling happening on that ground wire, and it is very possible that could be my issue. I would never have thought that was the case. Thanks for the video!! Even if this doesn't solve the problem, I really enjoyed your explanation. Well done, sir!
@@JoshRaySpot Just to follow up.... Yup. Sure as shootin, that was the problem. I pulled the battery out and the negative was loose. Brushed it off and tightened it up and it fires right up now. Thanks!!! You saved me a lot of frustration!!!
Excellent Video!! I had the same issue and being an electrical engineer after a few quick tests I was pretty sure it was the ground path so I did a bit of googling and found your video. Very very useful information and a great explanation of the symptoms. Thanks Josh
Makes me even more thankful I have a 2004 TwinCam 88. I always heard the newer H-D's cranking over like this and it always sounded like they were gonna be left stranded.
not sure if you guys gives a damn but if you're stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks xD
I have an 04 dyna fxdl with a twin cam 88. Dont let anyone talk shit about your 88. My bike is perfect and i have stage 1 kit and its faster than most of my friends who have bigger bikes. And the ones i cant beat is only because they are better riders than i am. My bike sounds better than anything else on the road too. Love my 88
It’s not just the newer H-D’s I’m having this same issue with my 2007 Suzuki boulevard M109r so I’m about to go check my grounds and things now that I’ve seen this video
I have a 2015 48 and was wondering why my bike was trying to hard to start and I’ve already been through 2 batteries trying to figure this out. Thank you I hope this works
Thank you thank you thank you so much! Wow! I had the same problem and you just saved me hours of troubleshooting! Your help was an actual act of kindness! Thank you thank you thank you so much!
That fact that you made that noise with your mouth made me follow. Have the same issue with 14’ super low 1200T. Bike still new and I have that issue. Pisses me off. Someone suggested a lighter weight of 15W.
My Fat Boy seems to be doing that. I may have to clean the ground on mine too (too much down time due to cold weather.). Also, I stalled my bike on the road one time and it wouldn't start until I put it in neutral. I think the Harley's are all like that. We have wet clutches and they must tend to grab a little even with the clutch lever pulled in. I mainly wrote to say 'thank you' for that ground wire tip.
Thanks i will have to try this! just need to find out how to get to the back of the starter... 2005 Heritage Softtail classic doesnt have easy access haha
Is it okay to use my Mazda car to jump start my 2012 Harley Super Glide ? It cranked fine a few months ago but now quickly drains my battery trying to start it. I just put a new battery in about a year ago, Thanks... I will check my post ground wire to fix but need to know if I can safely use my car to help jump start.
Have an 09 Dyna Fxd. Will this cause the engine not to start at all. Observed code in speedo. Please let me know. Bike was not used since 2019. Now 2021, trying to sell. Had to replace tank (other one was shot with rust [live in South FL]), new spark plugs, new gas (premium), new fuel pump. Try to start and it turns over but will not fire. Checked codes and it shows p0374 and 61122. Read some forums which states it could be the switch or cps. Please help me get bike running. Oh by the way, removed air filter and the throttle body is nasty. Cleaning tomorrow with throttle body cleaner. Look forward to hearing from you.
Did you end up adjusting the clutch? I’m having a slow start issue myself, and it also pulls me forward when starting in first gear. Was curious as to whether or not that fixed anything. Thanks!
exactly same issue, thought it was caused by battery getting old, i then replaced a new battery, still very slow starting the bike especially on the cold morning, now i am wondering if i can return the battery i just bought
when you talk about ground wire, are you referring the ground from the battery to bike itself? or the ground from starter to bike itself? I found that ground bolt and can not figur out what size that nut is
The real problem is.....The batteries for these 1200's are half the size they should be. Cranking amps are piss poor. Period. Of course there is no room for a larger freaking battery. So 8 mo. old battery I replaced with another new one. All contacts cleaned and tight......I repaced the starter motor, relays, and most important fuel filter which was BLACK. Still got compression lock. Last thing I did was injectors. BOOM. She starts on first crank so fast it scare's ya. One injector plugin at the harness was loose, the clip was broken. fixed that. High performance extended life spark plugs. It starts and runs better than ever did. I think the stock injectors are crap, they leak when off and creates a compression lock up when starting after sitting for a period of time. This is why she grunts to a halt on each crank. Injectors are an easy fix. Best with fuel tank lifted a bit with rear bolt removed. I got no real result until I changed injectors.. So far staying constant. Starts as quick as a shotgun blast. 08 Sportster 1200 C. Way more power and smooth rpms. Cheers.
well , I found the nagetive nut on the crankcase, the problem is I can't find a proper size of wrench to fit in, can you tell me what size of that nut is? Is it SAE or Metric? I think it is 11mm or 7/16, correct me if I am wrong
@@MrBernaln2 Nope, turned out it was my battery with not enough capacity to start it during winter. Fixed it with a more powerful battery. Runs everytime now, even on very cold days.
Dude how the hell did you get a wrench or socket on that nut? Thinking I need to do this. My bike does the same exact thing but it does start every time.
It takes some time and patience and I used 2 wrenches. 1 for bottom nut one for top nut because with only 1 wrench it will try and swivel on you. Can get frustrating
Bro my bike has same problem...when remove sparkplug and without compression my cranking is good...when I put my sparkplug back and compression come...then cranking is slow and less current is comming Is that problem of self motor???
Prolly not. You prolly have same problem I did. With no plug the motor is easier to turn with no compression. Put the plug in now its harder to turn over as it's fighting compression. Your problem is probably my video.
Thanks for sharing. So I watched your video, and I might be 5% dumber than wet cardboard, but I still don't understand if you actually found a fix or not. You fixed the grounding, but the problem remained when you tried to start the motor at the end of the video, where you then refered to the clutch being stuck a the actually problem. So, before I go a disassemble my bike :), could you maybe elaborate how to actually fix this. My Yamaha V star does the exact same thing. It seems to have problems cranking on the compression stroke, and I can even provoke it if I try and turn the throttle or add choke while pressing the ignition button.
Went to autozone they tested my battery and said it was going bad so i bought a new one it fired right up then this morning went to turn it on and wouldnt even crank
Sticking clutch plates son of a bitch I have the cover off the clutch side and the bike tied down makes it impossible to get them to break loose didn’t put it back together because it is so freaking tight. Tomorrow I will put it back together and see what it does. Hopefully that’s all it is
@Josh_Ray I did clean all the connections from the starter to the battery (ground and hot) and any other grounds I found along the way the only thing I haven't done it replace the relay I did order one just in case and my battery is new and stays on a trickle charge while not riding...
Starting to get this issue with my 2015 Iron 883. Can't find any other useful videos on TH-cam until I stumbled upon your video. Finally, someone having the same issue. Thanks for the information and video!
Josh you are a star! I have a 2015 xl1200x Forty Eight in the UK. Started having exactly the same issues and you have saved me tons of time and loads of money. UK dealerships charge through the ass and claim all sorts for new and unnecessary parts. Prior to even disconnecting the ground strap and cleaning, I tried squirting electrical cleaner/contact spray. The bike from an almost flat battery fired up immediately. I will now do the proper clean of the terminal but you were spot on and thanks again from across the pond!
No problem brother. Why I made the video your prolly the 20th person to have this help. Just hit the sub button for us. We have a turbo v rod nightrod special now. Ride safe!
same is happening to my 2015 48, thanks i thought it was the grounds. now to find the location of them (new to bikes)
Josh, this video was a godsend for me. 2918 Iron 1200 with exact starting issue. Cleaned the ground cable fixings back to copper and she fired up straight away. A 7/16th stubby open ended spanner can undo the post but (just!) without disassembling anything else. Again, many thanks for sharing this. From the UK 👍
Awsome! brother glad it helped. All the way from the UK! guess we are starting to get out there!
10mm works if u can find it
Hmmmm..... I'm going to have to look into this. I never had any kind of issue with my '06 Sportster 1200 until one day the negative terminal on my battery straight up and cracked on me. I had a new battery sitting in the shed just waiting for something like this to happen, so I had my wife drive it out to me and I got it installed. Ever since then it has had a slow start. It was getting toward the end of the fall when this happened to me, so I just blamed it on colder weather or maybe a weaker battery, but now that I think about it, there was a lot of tugging and pulling happening on that ground wire, and it is very possible that could be my issue. I would never have thought that was the case. Thanks for the video!! Even if this doesn't solve the problem, I really enjoyed your explanation. Well done, sir!
Thank you
@@JoshRaySpot Just to follow up.... Yup. Sure as shootin, that was the problem. I pulled the battery out and the negative was loose. Brushed it off and tightened it up and it fires right up now. Thanks!!! You saved me a lot of frustration!!!
@@ocdetails no problem glad it helped!
First video I have found with what my bike is doing thanks man….
Np
Excellent Video!! I had the same issue and being an electrical engineer after a few quick tests I was pretty sure it was the ground path so I did a bit of googling and found your video. Very very useful information and a great explanation of the symptoms. Thanks Josh
No problem! Hope it helps, never seen a battery to chasis ground affect a system like this before
Starting to have this issue with my 07 Street Bob ... will definitely start with the ground wire. Thanks for the vid.
Makes me even more thankful I have a 2004 TwinCam 88. I always heard the newer H-D's cranking over like this and it always sounded like they were gonna be left stranded.
Actually fixed this later in a different video with ground cable peep it
not sure if you guys gives a damn but if you're stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks xD
@Jacob Christopher yea, I've been watching on Instaflixxer for since november myself =)
I have an 04 dyna fxdl with a twin cam 88. Dont let anyone talk shit about your 88. My bike is perfect and i have stage 1 kit and its faster than most of my friends who have bigger bikes. And the ones i cant beat is only because they are better riders than i am. My bike sounds better than anything else on the road too. Love my 88
It’s not just the newer H-D’s I’m having this same issue with my 2007 Suzuki boulevard M109r so I’m about to go check my grounds and things now that I’ve seen this video
Mate! This tip just fixed the crank on my 1998 Electra Glide! Thanks for sharing
Happy to help comments like these are why I made the video!
I have a 2015 48 and was wondering why my bike was trying to hard to start and I’ve already been through 2 batteries trying to figure this out. Thank you I hope this works
Thank you thank you thank you so much! Wow! I had the same problem and you just saved me hours of troubleshooting! Your help was an actual act of kindness! Thank you thank you thank you so much!
That fact that you made that noise with your mouth made me follow.
Have the same issue with 14’ super low 1200T. Bike still new and I have that issue. Pisses me off. Someone suggested a lighter weight of 15W.
🤣 mouth noise. Clean your chasis ground. That is what mine was
@@JoshRaySpot where is the chassis ground located
@@Gh6stGunsNmore is in the video
Awesome! Thanks man for such detailed video. Kids keeps you cheered. Much love.
Yep, that was the exact issue on mine. Started just like yours and then brushed the ground and negative and bingo bongo kicked over like a champ.
My Fat Boy seems to be doing that. I may have to clean the ground on mine too (too much down time due to cold weather.). Also, I stalled my bike on the road one time and it wouldn't start until I put it in neutral. I think the Harley's are all like that. We have wet clutches and they must tend to grab a little even with the clutch lever pulled in. I mainly wrote to say 'thank you' for that ground wire tip.
No problem glad to help. Subscribe for us thats all we ask for!
Thanks. Good explanation. Going to clean up all my grounds this weekend.
Good Luck comment back and let me know how it went!
Thanks i will have to try this!
just need to find out how to get to the back of the starter...
2005 Heritage Softtail classic doesnt have easy access haha
I definitely think this is my issue!! Thanks alot!!!!
No problem glad it helped. This frustrated me for sure make sure you subscribe for us. We trying to make it out here!
Is it okay to use my Mazda car to jump start my 2012 Harley Super Glide ? It cranked fine a few months ago but now quickly drains my battery trying to start it. I just put a new battery in about a year ago, Thanks... I will check my post ground wire to fix but need to know if I can safely use my car to help jump start.
You can jump it with a car
Nice one bud 👍
Have an 09 Dyna Fxd. Will this cause the engine not to start at all. Observed code in speedo. Please let me know. Bike was not used since 2019. Now 2021, trying to sell. Had to replace tank (other one was shot with rust [live in South FL]), new spark plugs, new gas (premium), new fuel pump. Try to start and it turns over but will not fire. Checked codes and it shows p0374 and 61122. Read some forums which states it could be the switch or cps. Please help me get bike running. Oh by the way, removed air filter and the throttle body is nasty. Cleaning tomorrow with throttle body cleaner. Look forward to hearing from you.
Check fuses for sure. Does not sound like starter ground to me
Did you end up adjusting the clutch? I’m having a slow start issue myself, and it also pulls me forward when starting in first gear. Was curious as to whether or not that fixed anything. Thanks!
exactly same issue, thought it was caused by battery getting old, i then replaced a new battery, still very slow starting the bike especially on the cold morning, now i am wondering if i can return the battery i just bought
when you talk about ground wire, are you referring the ground from the battery to bike itself? or the ground from starter to bike itself? I found that ground bolt and can not figur out what size that nut is
The real problem is.....The batteries for these 1200's are half the size they should be. Cranking amps are piss poor. Period. Of course there is no room for a larger freaking battery. So 8 mo. old battery I replaced with another new one. All contacts cleaned and tight......I repaced the starter motor, relays, and most important fuel filter which was BLACK. Still got compression lock. Last thing I did was injectors. BOOM. She starts on first crank so fast it scare's ya. One injector plugin at the harness was loose, the clip was broken. fixed that. High performance extended life spark plugs. It starts and runs better than ever did. I think the stock injectors are crap, they leak when off and creates a compression lock up when starting after sitting for a period of time. This is why she grunts to a halt on each crank. Injectors are an easy fix. Best with fuel tank lifted a bit with rear bolt removed. I got no real result until I changed injectors.. So far staying constant. Starts as quick as a shotgun blast. 08 Sportster 1200 C. Way more power and smooth rpms. Cheers.
Which injectors did you go with? Just bought a 2016 xl1200c with 800 miles, so I'm sure this fix is a good idea.
well , I found the nagetive nut on the crankcase, the problem is I can't find a proper size of wrench to fit in, can you tell me what size of that nut is? Is it SAE or Metric?
I think it is 11mm or 7/16, correct me if I am wrong
I have this problem with my 2009 Iron 883, seems like this is going to solve it. Gonna try this tomorrow!
did it work?
@@MrBernaln2 Nope, turned out it was my battery with not enough capacity to start it during winter. Fixed it with a more powerful battery. Runs everytime now, even on very cold days.
@@Trevor2405 what kind?
What size are the nuts if you remember?
Hello am having the identical problem with new starter,relay and battery mechanic said I need the oem starter and relay any taught 2007 Suzuki m109
Nope prolly just a ground. Watch the video track wires clean the connectors
Hes throwing parts at your problem on your money
Appreciate your knowledge 🙏 thank you
@@spirit4341 np
10:26 Why would you try starting the bike in gear without holding down the clutch?
My bike sounds kinda lile that at the start but dont take to long has like 2 stuters then fires up i wonder what it is
Prolly same thing just not as bad as mine was
Dude how the hell did you get a wrench or socket on that nut? Thinking I need to do this. My bike does the same exact thing but it does start every time.
It takes some time and patience and I used 2 wrenches. 1 for bottom nut one for top nut because with only 1 wrench it will try and swivel on you. Can get frustrating
Its been a while since there been any harley Davidson videos up
Can I just run another ground cable from battery to somewhere on the bike?
Nope don't over complicate it
So what is actually the main problems?
It is one problem it is covered in the video
Did you try jumping it before working on it?
of course. also a bobo way to solve or bandage the problem. do the research learn evolve try fix it, my motto
Bro my bike has same problem...when remove sparkplug and without compression my cranking is good...when I put my sparkplug back and compression come...then cranking is slow and less current is comming
Is that problem of self motor???
Prolly not. You prolly have same problem I did. With no plug the motor is easier to turn with no compression. Put the plug in now its harder to turn over as it's fighting compression. Your problem is probably my video.
@@JoshRaySpot did u change ur motor?or did you just clean connections on motor
At the begining I had also done cleaning the ground connections 😁
@@Autogallery7444 the battery ground to the motor is the hotspot
@@Autogallery7444 connections
Any clue where it would be on a 103 motor?
Thanks for sharing. So I watched your video, and I might be 5% dumber than wet cardboard, but I still don't understand if you actually found a fix or not.
You fixed the grounding, but the problem remained when you tried to start the motor at the end of the video, where you then refered to the clutch being stuck a the actually problem.
So, before I go a disassemble my bike :), could you maybe elaborate how to actually fix this. My Yamaha V star does the exact same thing. It seems to have problems cranking on the compression stroke, and I can even provoke it if I try and turn the throttle or add choke while pressing the ignition button.
Was ground to engine from battery. Sat for 2 months fired up yesturday like a tommy gun
Went to autozone they tested my battery and said it was going bad so i bought a new one it fired right up then this morning went to turn it on and wouldnt even crank
Just start at batteries black ground cable and trace it to the frame or chasis very simple
@@JoshRaySpot got it ill lyk how it goes thanks for the helpful video most other videos dont really explain shit
@@JoshRaySpot its a 10mm nut holding the ground in place correct?
@@Gh6stGunsNmore I do not recall could be different for different bikes
@@Gh6stGunsNmore lol no problem thanks man it seems to have helped a lot of people
Dude I could sure use those exhaust pipes , if you’ve still got them and are willing to give away,,
I have same year and same model as you.
Share me with all your friends and rally subscribers. Your the first to comment about it. So I got you if we can hit the goal
Mine was doing the same my issue starter drawing to much voltage new starter fixed it my contact look good
Sticking clutch plates son of a bitch I have the cover off the clutch side and the bike tied down makes it impossible to get them to break loose didn’t put it back together because it is so freaking tight. Tomorrow I will put it back together and see what it does. Hopefully that’s all it is
Did all that and didn't solve my issue I still have a weak start
Yes. That is why I made the video there is before and after in the video
@Josh_Ray I did clean all the connections from the starter to the battery (ground and hot) and any other grounds I found along the way the only thing I haven't done it replace the relay I did order one just in case and my battery is new and stays on a trickle charge while not riding...
@@charlescrawford5591 mine was ground from batt to chasis