Alright lately my 98 Fatboy has been starting hard. Its kind of embarrassing bc sometimes it sounds like my nice bike is a hoopty. Ill go to turn it over and sometimes itll turn slow like the battery is low, and sometimes itll make a clunk while turning. I mean its not a loud abnoxious clunk, but to me it is Iguess. Any suggestions? Im thinking its just the battery. But I looked at the trouble shooting guid in my manual and it lists timing, spark plugs, wires, battery, and valve sticking. Also, is it me or do EVO starters sound louder than Big Twins?

 

Check the battery voltage first. I have a 2000 FLHP and it also recently started a loud clunking noise every once in a whileon start up. Scanalyzer hookup revealed low battery voltage. The stock battery lasted 5 years almost to the day so I wasntexpecting the 2 yr old replacement to bebad so soon. Hope your problem is that simple to cure.

 

I was having a similar problem and it turned out to be loose battery cables.

 

Thanks guys, I looked at the date on the Battery and its 2002, so yeah its 5 years old. Ill check the connections too. I guess I gotta lay some money down for a new battery now. AWESOME!LOL