Yep`, Just like the old lady, she hates to turn over.
1985 flht EVO 1340 5spd.

Has an orange dot cam and gears so I expect they are
stock HD? .. Anyhow` this bike with a good HOT battery
can just about make the first turn on the compression/fire rotation. Its worst when the engine is hot. " I understand the diesel effect but this is just too much". I even shut off the spark to help it along. The starter is very good, the ground is very good. Its a points system and I just installed a new points plate. My question is, " Is there a factor in the timing that would make this turn over so hard? ".. Can I advance it or go the opposite way to help it in any way? I know my old Chevy used to turn over hard and I turned the distributor and it was a fix.

 

Is it timed properly ? Points just open when you turn the adv wts cam ccw front cyl comp when adv mark on flywheels is centered in the timing window If you understood all this I guess it is That is the narrow lobe of the cam !

 

What do you have for compression. The cam should be stock unless someone put the original cam gears on the new cam, however most aftermarket cams have more duration and that means less compression. If you unhook the ignition how does it turn over?? If it is better than you may have too much advance. Does it turn over easy with the plugs out?? Please reply and we can go on from there. Hope this helps.

 

what is this " adv wts cam ccw front cyl comp when adv " ? Is that
what they call texting or something? Im sure happy to hear from you and thankfull as all heck but i dont know what you said.

 

Howdy` ..

It turns over very well with the plugs out.
It turns over hard with the key switch on and with it off also.
I cant start it today at all and the battery goes dead fast.
Im going to buy a new battery tomorrow and spark plugs.
Im still wondering if its a Dwell and timing thing.

 

The cam might be stock, but you could have high compression pistons in there. I put some Keith Black pistons in my 88 FXR that gave me 9.5:1 compression and starting was a challenge some days. The stock starters back then didn't really kick out much power and given it's age it might have some damaged windings anyway.

Do you know anyone with another similar bike whose starter you could borrow for testing? Also, if you're comfortable with breaking the heads down, you could check to see if you have domed pistons.

Oh, and try this. Hit the starter button until it hangs on the compression stroke. Release button and then immediately hit it again. That worked almost every time on the FXR.

 

BIG Thanks for the note !

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=VPh...sec=frontcover

 

I knew that was too much too long on timing if you want to know how to adjust points call me 608-847 -4240 if not go with what ya got

 

If you have a good battery,starting her shouldnt be a problem.I have a 83 flt Orignally a shovel,which was 93in 10:1 comp and i never had an issue,now im running an 10.5:1 comp 83in evo,and i still dont have any issues.All that said i would take out the points and put in a good single fire elec.ignition such as crane or twin tec.Otherwise id be looking at getting the points set up correctley which can be a little tough if youre not experienced with them.