I just recently had the rocker covers powder coated on my 2011 street bob. did the reinstall per manual, put the tank back on per the manual. When I took it off, I followed the manual and drained the tank and everything (followed the manual). There was a little fuel left in there that doesnt reach the crossover lines but not much.

Anyways, I started it up after getting it all back together because I figured there was enough fuel for a few seconds of running just to make sure it was all good. started up just fine. Ran fine, and I shut her down.

Well, I put another gallon in there and plan to take it to the gas station to top off the tank and all it does is crank. doesnt fire up. i hear the fuel pump prime and everything but all she does is suck air.

I have to believe it is fuel related. i suppose it is possible that it started initially off residual fuel in the system from before i pulled the tank and now it's not getting pressure or something.

There is only about 2 gallons in the tank right now, is it possible that there isnt enough fuel in there for the system to prime? I'm positive the quick disconnect is attached properly (but I will check again when I get home). I've ruled out the spark since it started that first time.

so far, i've gathered from forums that it is: the quick disconnect or the fuel filter

is it possible there is air in the line or a lack of pressure and how can i release the air or build the pressure back up?

 

I can smell fuel after trying to crank it a few times

 

Double check the fuel line connections, you may need to check the connections inside the tank, it may not have been clicked in all the way and popped loose.
An EFI will not have any residual fuel like a carb bike would, so my best guess is a line popped off during the initial run.

 

Yeah, I am going to double check that. I know for a fact i put it all together correct, but it could have popped off I suppose. I never had the tank taken apart, just pulled off the bike. So it shouldn't be that. Im just hoping its a simple matter of the fuel line.

 

How many miles on the bike? The fuel filter may be clogged, not uncommon if it sits dry for a few days.

 

There are about 2500 miles. It did sit there empty off of the bike for about a month.

 

You should at least take it out and give it a look, I think I would go ahead and replace it if it sat that long dry.
They tend to build up a lot of crap rather quickly, especially with ethanol fuels.

 

is there any reason why it would have started the first time but not any of the subsequent attempts? other than the fuel disconnect popping loose

 

Since you hear the pump prime, only 2 reasons I can think of would be a fuel line coming off, or a chunk of something was sucked up into the filter and is clogging it now.

 

Let's hope it's as easy as the fuel line popping loose. Thanks a lot, Hog. I'll hop on tonight and let you know if I got it going.