Just recently inherited my Dad's bike (he built from ground up with 96' HD evo crate motor and softail frame) after losing him in an accident a month ago. Bike only has 1030 miles on it.

I have been having problems getting it started. He too had issues with it. I know just enough to get in trouble.

Here is the story. Tried to start it one day with no luck. Engine turned over. Replaced plugs. No start. Found out I was getting no fuel spray (he had left petcock on). Drained the bowl and got spray. Bike started and I ran it a few miles and it ran fine (turning it off once and re-starting it). Three days later went to start it again. It would turn over but not start. Checked bowl again but it was dry since I turned petcock off. I took the carb apart and cleaned it real well (pretty dirty). I had spray again. Bike turned over and still would not start. Checked for spark at the plugs and had nothing.

Points look real good and clean. I don't know how to "snap" them to see if that works. Battery is at 12v. Getting continuity at coil (yellow ACCEL - I'm assuming single fire?) but I do not know further how to see if coil is bad.

I remember hearing my Dad say he thought his on/off switch was bad. Would this be the case if the bike is turning over? Any help troubleshooting the gremlin would be helpful. Like I said, I know just enough to get in trouble.

 

Replaced the coil and it fixed the issue. Bike runs fine now.

Surprised I didn't get any replies.