Bike wouldn't start!
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bike wouldn't start!
I got up this morning to ride in to work. 33 degree weather but no snow or rain. The bike wouldn't start and I ran the battery down trying. I have had the bike start in even colder weather so I think it might have been a low battery. I haven't ridden in nearly a week but I'm surprised that the battery would have gone down during that time. I don't have access to a electrical outlet near the bike to put a battery tender on it. Have any of you had the same problem and what did you do to fix it.
RE: Bike wouldn't start!
pull the battery and put it on a trickle charger... you want to be careful just hitting that starter button over and over... HD is known for going though starters.... i would charge up the battery then work from there, electric, fuel, and fire... battery, fuses, ensure fuel lines are clean, plugs... if you have strarted it last week i do not think that gummed up injectors would be an issue... hope you get her humming again soon!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
RE: Bike wouldn't start!
Only time mine didn't want to start was when the positive cable came loose from the battery. Turn the key on, would have lights, hit the starter button and everything went dark. Turn key off then on and lights would come back on and same thing. [:@]
Took a few minutes to figure it.
About a year later was out riding with my father-in-law and his Electra Glide did the same thing when we went to leave. He was surprised (and happy!
) I carry a tool kit with me. 5 minutes later we were on the rode.
Good luck and let us know when you figure it out.
Took a few minutes to figure it.
About a year later was out riding with my father-in-law and his Electra Glide did the same thing when we went to leave. He was surprised (and happy!
) I carry a tool kit with me. 5 minutes later we were on the rode.Good luck and let us know when you figure it out.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
RE: Bike wouldn't start!
Hi Trotter, I can run an extension cord but I would not be able to leave it overnight or while I'm gone. It wouldn't be there when I got back. I'll charge it up after I get home from work.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Bike wouldn't start!
I would just be paitent and let the battery charge with the battery tender. Once it is fully charged up, then I would try to start the bike.
Once the battery is fully charged up and if the bike still fails to start.....then began checking out other things. If the battery shows any weakness of trying to start on its own....STOP trying to start the bike. Starting the bike with a really weak battery is not good on the system.
Maintenance free batteries are.....maintenance free other than making sure the terminals are tight and clean. Once a maintenance free battery fails...consider it gone though, because you cannot add water to these. Charging and charging does not always bring these back as well. The old style batteries....usually could be brought back to life after adding water and charging.
Your battery is 3-4 years old.....use a volt meter and load tester if you have access to one. If you have to end up replacing the battery....ALWAYS check the charging system as well.
Once the battery is fully charged up and if the bike still fails to start.....then began checking out other things. If the battery shows any weakness of trying to start on its own....STOP trying to start the bike. Starting the bike with a really weak battery is not good on the system.
Maintenance free batteries are.....maintenance free other than making sure the terminals are tight and clean. Once a maintenance free battery fails...consider it gone though, because you cannot add water to these. Charging and charging does not always bring these back as well. The old style batteries....usually could be brought back to life after adding water and charging.
Your battery is 3-4 years old.....use a volt meter and load tester if you have access to one. If you have to end up replacing the battery....ALWAYS check the charging system as well.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
RE: Bike wouldn't start!
I do not think you can hook the charge to the tenter plug as it has a weird inlet on it... i would just pull the battery and get it somewhere warm to help it charge... DO NOT PUT IT ON CONCRETE!!!!!! if a battery is on the concreate it will loose the abilty to hold a charge! learned that the hard way