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[dshuman]

Needing help from winter riders. I love riding all throughout the winter in all temperatures. however, my last two bikes, 2014 SG & my current 2016 CVO PS breakout, once temperatures drop below 40 degrees the bike barely turns over, and will not start. I have installed new batteries....seems to help for maybe a month, then not enough cold cranking amps start. when parked overnight in the garage I have it on the battery tender, but once it gets cold out that is no guarantee it will start. The bike does have automatic compression releases, but doesn't seem to help. sooooooooo frustrating!!!!!!  Instead of riding now I am writing this post.
Any help would be appreciated

[guppytrash]

battery tender?
Always plug into a battery tender and have never had a bike of any make or model that didn't fire right up.

[J.D.]

I believe the owner's manual used to recommend lighter weight oil (than 20w-50) in colder temps.

[dshuman]

I am using synthetic oil, and don't have a place to plug in at work.... I've never had this problem with my other bikes.

[Twolanerider]

Your temps aren't much different than mine in southwest Missouri.  Assuming all things are good there's no reason the bike shouldn't fire right up at temps colder than you're willing to ride.  If it's doing primarily after setting at work off a tender for eight hours I'd start off checking for any kind of power draw that might be pulling the battery down more than expected in that period of time.

[iski]

Would be worth a check on your battery tender.  Sounds like it is not working correctly.

[r0de_runr]

LiquiMoly 10W60 oil, start in neutral.

[Yellow09SERG]

Bike in neutral when try to start?

[backroad Mike]

Are you sure the automatic compression releases are working properly. Are you hearing them click open before you hit the start button?

As someone else mentioned. Make sure the battery cables are all tight and not corroded.

[SDCVO]

Definitely something wrong, should not be any issue starting in those temps

[FLSTFI Dave]

Mine have started in the teens with out issue.  Seems like battery is weak or the compression releases are not working.

[dshuman]

Thanks all.  I pulled the battery out and had it tested. It was only putting out 280 CCA instead of the 315 CCA specified on the battery.  The battery had only been through 1 winter.  I got a new battery and is starting fine today. I will see if this lasts a full winter.

[msdckelley]

Thanks all.  I pulled the battery out and had it tested. It was only putting out 280 CCA instead of the 315 CCA specified on the battery.  The battery had only been through 1 winter.  I got a new battery and is starting fine today. I will see if this lasts a full winter.

I have found the head light pulls a lot of voltage. Might want to consider installing a switch. Allows more power to starter. Also remember it takes a while for the charging system to help the battery recover, so short distance and low RPM will not help


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snowrider13]

No matter what the problem may be, I would help things out with a thinner oil, and also disengage clutch.

[timo482]

harley used to sell winter oil.. i have not ridden in the winter much the last 7 years or so.. [have not even looked for it in a long time..]  but when i did, id put in the light oil and have zero starting issues.

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