I just purchased a '93 FXLR "90th Anniversary". When I go to start it and press the starter button, it'll act like it wants to turn over, then it'll pause, like the battery is dead. After about 2 seconds, then the motor will turn over normally. I was reading in a Harley davidson book (something like "101 Harley-Davidson Projects" or something) that said that's known as the "typical big twin Harley grunt" - that they all do that. Is that true? The book mentioned upgrading the starter. Has anyone ever experienced that?
This is my first big twin. I had Sportster before this and a Moto Guzzi befor that.
Thanks

 

Mine will sorta hesitate, but it's not 2 seconds.... more like 1/2 second if that. But it never stops turning... just slows down a little.

 

Mine too, slows down just a tad. Crank, pause, crank fire. Kinda like that.

 

What's the condition of your battery?

 

Any mods to the engine? If the compression has been increased the starter may have trouble pushing past the initial compression stroke.

 

Mine grunts too...see my battery post and get the 310CCA battery. Which should fire that bitch right over.

 

It does need a new batery. I now that. date on battery is July, 2003.

 

No mods to engine. Also, the book I was reading stated that OEM starters aren't as strong as aftermarket ones. They suggest an aftermarket starter.

 

Harleys leak, shake, steer and shift like a dump truck. That's why their so cool.

 

Well, like I said, the battery is 6 years old. I'm sure it's time to replace it. I checked the water in it and three cells looked dry and the other three looked as if they needed some water. I filled the battery back up with water, put it on a charger for 8 hours to see if that would help. I placed the battery back in the bike, hit the "start" button and that battery fired that sucker up with no hesitation what-so-ever. I mean, as soon as I hit the switch, she started. No "grunt" or hesitation.