QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2005 Harley Sportster. When I try to start the bike, the engine cranks but won't start right away. I have to wait about 30 minutes then it may start. Battery and plugs are fine. Thank you for any help you can provide.
ANSWER: Possibly are you flooding the motor with fuel when your tring to start it the first time. After the engine runs and its warm will it restart ok then?
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QUESTION: I don't believe it has to do with flooding the motor since I am not even touching the throttle. When I try to start it from being cold, it won't even crank. I will wait 30 minutes and try again. It will either start or crank once and fail. I will have to wait another 30 minutes. It may then start. I had the battery tested and it is fine. I believe it is something electrical. Any idea? Starter? Generator? Thank you.
ANSWER: Your original question states that when you try to start the bike "the engine cranks but won't start right away" but your follow up states "when I try to start it from being cold it won't even crank". So now I'm thinking toward your second description and I'll say you probably have a starter relay problem or the soliniod in your starter motor is going bad, do you have a lot of miles on this bike?
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QUESTION: Thank you for your response. No, I have about 5,700 miles on the bike. I purchasd it last year and unfortunately, I don't ride it that often. I keep a battery tender on the bike when it sits. Would you suggest that I replace the starter or generator? Thank you again.
AnswerYour bike doesn't have a generator it has an alternator. First you need to check to make sure your getting a good solid signal from the battery to the starter, the electrical parts in that line are the ignition switch, the starter button on the handle bars and the starter relay plus all the wire connecting these parts. The easiest way to check this is with a volt meter. On the top of the starter motor there is a green wire this is the end of all of the above talked about parts. unplug this wire and connect the red lead from your volt meter to this wire then connect the black lead to the negative post on the battery. Turn on the volt meter and turn on the ignition switch then push in the starter button and hold it while looking at the volt meter there should be a voltage reading of 8-10 volts if there is no voltage here then one of the previously listed parts is bad. probably the starter relay as it is the weakest leak in the starter circuit. The relay is located under the seat. If you do have voltage here then your starter is bad and needs replacing. But before doing all of this check to see that the battery cables are tight on both ends of each cable especially the ground cable where it connects to the bike.
