Chasing a Starting Issue

By Mark DiPietro

Question for Fix My Hog 2007 Harley Davidson Fatboy: This is a starting problem. Usually at the first morning start or a start up after the bike has set without the engine running all day it will start fine. However, if the bike has been started and rode even a short distance the next attempt to start there is a loud clattering noise around the starter area and several tries will be needed to start the bike. Each cranking will be accompanied by this loud noise. It sounds like the starter drive, which I had replaced. I have also had the ring gear assembly checked and no teeth were missing. This hard starting problem has been researched by my mechanic and he cannot find the cause. I have talked to other riders of this model and have witnessed this problem on a few other Fatboys. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

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Fix My Hog Answers

Make sure you are using a known good, quality battery. Your ring gear can have all of its teeth but still be excessively worn. Also, need a good starter gear on your jackshaft.



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11 Responses to “Chasing a Starting Issue”

  1. Don

    When i try to start my 2011 trike it just does 1 click then nothing

  2. Steve Scott

    Where do you find the pin number on the security system?

  3. James

    I have a 2018 softail heritage I try to start it in gear and it won’t start

  4. john milam

    approximately how many hrs to change stock handle bars on 08 street glide from stock to14 in, ape hangers?

  5. jackjdj5

    Trying to find out starter problem get nothing then if you put it in gear rock it it will start 2007 touring

  6. Dennis

    had the same problem.installed Baker compensator problem solved.

  7. Cousin Ed

    My 07 fatboy had the same issue, replaced starter, and still same issue, found excessive resistance in battery cables, cut open cables and found corrosion.

  8. HDMania

    My 04 Electra Classic was doing the same thing..come to find out my battery was at the end of its life..it was an AGM battery and it lasted 7 yrs..after installing a new AGM battery the volt meter shows around 11 volts but starts right up and none of that noise in the starter area..always write the install date on your new battery..

  9. Dale Hulbert

    Thank you I'm sure this will be very helpful

  10. Ken Trsek

    Likely the compensator, but I installed an aftermarket starter with almost twice the torque of the stock starter on my 09 Fatboy. Haven’t had a problem since, and a lot cheaper than replacing the compensator and electrical rotor.