Bike died while going 50 mph - Need some help
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Bike died while going 50 mph - Need some help
While coming into work this morning, I hit a bump while doing 50 around a curve and the engine died. 
Lights were still on and I did not bump the kill switch so I pulled in the clutch and coasted to the roadside, shut the key off and turned it back on, fired right up.
So where do I start looking for a loose wire or something that could cause this problem? I definitely need to fix this, I got lucky there was no traffic by me at the time.
Bike is 2001 Dyna Super Glide stock 88" carb with slip-ons and AN Big Sucker, 27k+ miles.
Lights were still on and I did not bump the kill switch so I pulled in the clutch and coasted to the roadside, shut the key off and turned it back on, fired right up.
So where do I start looking for a loose wire or something that could cause this problem? I definitely need to fix this, I got lucky there was no traffic by me at the time.
Bike is 2001 Dyna Super Glide stock 88" carb with slip-ons and AN Big Sucker, 27k+ miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
I had the same thing happen on my 07 Sportster. Engine died going down the Interstate, speedo went to zero. Pulled over, toggled the kill switch, hit the starter button and she fired right up.
The culprit was the main harness under the tank at the connector. Turns out when I had the pullback bars put on at the dealer the tech had pulled on the harness to get enough slack in the wires for the longer bars and loosened the connection. They pulled the tank, reconnected the harness, and it never happened again.
The culprit was the main harness under the tank at the connector. Turns out when I had the pullback bars put on at the dealer the tech had pulled on the harness to get enough slack in the wires for the longer bars and loosened the connection. They pulled the tank, reconnected the harness, and it never happened again.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Same here on a sweeping left turn, banked real nice, holding a line, BUMP, and everything got real quiet real fast. That was three years ago, I've ridden the same road multiple times since and no problems. Rode some nice curvies in N.Y. this summer, no problems. I'm just guessing the mercury switch in the TSSM sensed the lean and bump then tripped and shut down the ignition. 02 FXD (carb)
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
Check your battery cables too. It could be that the combination of lean angle and bump had just enough force to cause a disconnect to a loose battery terminal. Once the bike was upright again, the terminal could then be making contact and allow a start.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Same here on a sweeping left turn, banked real nice, holding a line, BUMP, and everything got real quiet real fast. That was three years ago, I've ridden the same road multiple times since and no problems. Rode some nice curvies in N.Y. this summer, no problems. I'm just guessing the mercury switch in the TSSM sensed the lean and bump then tripped and shut down the ignition. 02 FXD (carb)
I'll still check things out when I get home, just wanted a few ideas to speed things up.
Thanks guys and any future posters.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 13
From: Asscrackistan
Not only can the above cause this, but if you have the turn signal/brake/running light kit installed, that unit overheats and will shut the bike down. Ask me how I know!
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
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
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I'm running the kit for a couple years now. How would it overheat and shut the bike down?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 13
From: Asscrackistan
The unit itself gets pretty damn hot to the touch, for whatever reason. I also have the factory security system, which is tied into the TSSM. I think what is happening is, a signal is sent back to the ECM, from some kind of voltage drop/spike, this confusion is getting crossed up and shuts the engine down. No codes to speak of, lights remain on, turn key off for a few minutes, turn on and start. I chased this tor two months before I got to that harness and took it off to test ride. Has NEVER done it since! To make sure it was that mod, I reinstalled the plug and test ride. It would shut down again. It is now removed for good! The MoCo is aware, but chooses NOT to address! No fun in traffic at highway speeds and that happens. The first time it did, it was WTF just happened! This is a dangerous situation and for the MoCo not to warn of this on the packaging, is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I believe their reasoning for not addressing, is that ignorance is bliss..
I have an 08
Last edited by BlockHead96; Sep 3, 2009 at 04:13 PM.