Back ground... I have a 99 Sportster 1200C 49000 miles

took it out for a ride and started to hear a loud knocking noise from the from of the engine. after a trip to the garage it was a blown head gasket. a quote of 840.00 forced me to do the work myself. so i used the manual and did it all. no it wont start. I got it started up once..but forgot i drained the tank so it shut down soon after it started. i put gas in and tried to start it it turned over but wouldnt go. now the starter just clicks loudy. i cleaned the carb and checked the fuel flow and that all looks good. any help would be great.

 

yep even cleaned them up and still no luck. thnx

 

Is the clicking coming from the starter?

 

I'd say it's a bad battery. Try that first.

 

Battery First, ensure have good voltage and connections.. Starter Relay next..

 

Check all your conections. Then have your battery load tested. Odds are it is something simple that you will kick yourself over later.

 

Well Well Well new battery it was... too bad the knock is still their thankyou guys for the tips it helped alot.

if anyone might know were to start on this knocking situation that would be awesome.. as of now all the gaskets in the top end have been replaced. Started it back up and had some white smoke from the heads. is that just burn of from cleaning them?

let it run and niticed the knock from the engine was still present. their was a blown head gasket in the front head could that have messed something else up?

 

I would have to say, something blew the first head gasket... if that wasn't found and resolved, you will be doing the job over and over again or until you destroy the engine all together. Is it an actual knocking sound or is it a sewing machine sound? Knocking sound could be many things.

 

I agree with Gpsjr. Gotta figure out why the first gasket blew and remedy that first.
Check the inside of your rocker cover for dings. When I did my gaskets on the front cylinder, the rocker arm was hitting the top of the rocker cover after I put it all back together.

 

the knock sounds like its coming from the front cylinder that had the blown gasket. it gets faster with rpm...also i am getting a little bit of white somke off the engine still...could that be the new gaskets and cleaner burning off..