Starting after a very short ride
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
You might have replaced the bad battery with a bad new battery. It's happened to me before. First thing you need to do is find out what the running voltage is to make sure your charging system is working right.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Western New York
My 07 bobber starts easier when its warm if I turn on the key AND then immediately hit the starter (I'm always in neutral to start). Someone on this forum said if you hit the key and wait for the fuel pump to get busy the bike seems harder to start and that has been my experience.
Wouldn't hurt to look for loose starter connections. It takes a lot of amps to start with and loose connections create probems. Also, if your new ride is "loaded" with racks of lights, it's possible you don't ride it enough to stay ahead of the charging system.
I'm betting that the problem you are having isn't the reason the bike sold with low miles on it. There just ain't that much to finding the problem...
I took my ATV into be looked at because it wouldn't start and it turned out to be pilot error. The ATV won't start if it's in gear and you don't have your foot on the brake. Who would have thunk
Wouldn't hurt to look for loose starter connections. It takes a lot of amps to start with and loose connections create probems. Also, if your new ride is "loaded" with racks of lights, it's possible you don't ride it enough to stay ahead of the charging system.
I'm betting that the problem you are having isn't the reason the bike sold with low miles on it. There just ain't that much to finding the problem...
I took my ATV into be looked at because it wouldn't start and it turned out to be pilot error. The ATV won't start if it's in gear and you don't have your foot on the brake. Who would have thunk
Last edited by YourOldDog; Jul 28, 2010 at 07:40 AM.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks. I think it was user error, coming off choke too soon and running the bike too lean. Then I stop and start it too lean. Might have been a weaker battery that was done in by multiple starts. Checking the voltage tonight and the starter connection once my service manual arrives in a day or two. I've put about 1,100 miles on the bike in about 6 weeks of having it, so It has not been setting for more than a day without running lately. Didn't ride last night but ran it for about 5-10 minutes to make sure it would crank and idle well. Sounded pretty darn good and started cold no problem. HD place suggested I upgrade the carb from the stock carb, since I have V&H aftermarket pipes. Think that was a sales pitch.......
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
Thanks. I think it was user error, coming off choke too soon and running the bike too lean. Then I stop and start it too lean. Might have been a weaker battery that was done in by multiple starts. Checking the voltage tonight and the starter connection once my service manual arrives in a day or two. I've put about 1,100 miles on the bike in about 6 weeks of having it, so It has not been setting for more than a day without running lately. Didn't ride last night but ran it for about 5-10 minutes to make sure it would crank and idle well. Sounded pretty darn good and started cold no problem. HD place suggested I upgrade the carb from the stock carb, since I have V&H aftermarket pipes. Think that was a sales pitch.......
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
The stock carbs work well when jetted right. Harleys at idle don't charge the battery well. They need to be revved up a bit. When you check to see how it's charging rev the motor to 2000 rpm to check voltage. It sounds like your carb might be jetted a little lean. You might want to get that checked. I don't know how good of a wrench you are to be pulling the carb and seeing what jets you have in there.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I think you may be right, blkbagger. I rode it on 1/3 choke for about 5 minutes then stopped for gas. Cranked it on 1/3 choke after filling up and it fired right up but still felt a little lean at start up. When my service manual arrives, I might take a look at the carb.
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