I've been experiencing an odd and somewhat intermittent problem with starting up my bike lately. As for a little background... I've had it for about 8 months, 7k miles when I got it, and close to 11k now, and on a cold start, it's not uncommon for it to crank about 6 times before turning over and starting up. It's been that way since I got the bike. About a month ago, I took a ride on my lunch to a local indy shop about 15 miles away to check out some cold weather gloves. I was there maybe 20-30 minutes, and when I hit the starter to head back to work, it cranked more like 10-15 times without turning over. I release from the starter, and hit it again in circa 30 seconds, same thing. So then I hit the killswitch, turn the key into the off position, turn it back, hit the killswitch to prime the fuel pump, hit the starter and in about 2 cranks, the thing starts up no problem.

So I think that's a little weird, and start to go through the checklist of things necessary for ignition... Plenty of fuel... Battery circa 6 months old, probably about 3k miles on it, so not a problem there... maybe the spark plugs? I did buy a used bike and haven't checked the plugs... Plus the bike had a Stage 1 without an ECM download, so they may be fouled...

I buy some Screamin Eagles plugs about 2 weeks ago and pull the existing plugs... and they don't look half bad, so I hold onto them for an emergency and install the newly purchased plugs. No change whatsoever in the cranks on a cold start.

Then I'm riding home this past Friday, and I'm on a 2-lane road in bumper to bumper traffic... so I say **** it and ride in the shoulder at between 15 and 30 mph for about 6-7 miles, maybe 15 to 20 minutes, and I get pulled over (which I should have expected...)

I get out of the ticket, get geared back up and go to start the bike and be on my merry way. When I hit the starter, it cranks about 10-15 times without turning over... on the side of the road with a cop's spotlights on me holding up traffic. I do the full cycle again - killswitch, key off, key on, killswitch, starter, and voila, 2-5 cranks and I'm rumbling, ready to go again.

Make it home no problem, ride on the weekend and everything's cherry.

BUT these instances have me concerned about getting stranded somewhere - whether it be on the side of the road or a mid-ride stop, it's going to seriously suck if I can't get the bike to start... plus I don't have a trailer and seriously wouldn't want to call in a tow.

That long-winded story brings me to today, and I'm asking this community of incredibly knowledgeable and helpful folks for some insight into what might be occurring here and what I might check / replace / repair to remedy the issue.

Thanks guys, looking forward to your suggestions!

 

Get someone to check fuel pressure after it set for a while. Sounds like fuel pressure is leeking down. Could be the pressure regulator.

 

I'd sat cleaning all battery connections, starter connections and maybe also check the crank position sensor plug for corrosion. The postion sensor "sees" the flywheel and sends the signal to start the firing impulse in the ignition system. Cycling the ignition and run/stop switch maybe clearing/resetting the ECM of a bad signal.

 

sounds like fuel pressure to me also. After you turn the ignition off and back on, the pump is re-priming back to pressure.

 

I have run into that on cars many times. Could be a leak between the pump and regulator or the regulator its self.

 

It is pretty common to find pinhole leaks in the internal fuel line. With less than half a tank or so you can hear it pissing against the inside of the tank when you prime it.

 

Maybe time to do a new fuel filter, inspect everything.
Won't hurt.
i purchased a new filter and new screws for the tank access.
Just waiting for the right time.
Too bad they don't have it external.

 

I too believe you have a fuel pressure issue. As stated, pin holes in the in-tank lines are common. Your cycling of the ignition gives it away. By doing this it allows the fuel pump to build up pressure and fires immediately.
Does it do this with a full tank of gas? 3/4 tank? 1/2 tank? 1/4 tank?

Read this thread:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...fuel-line.html

 

On Friday I was at 1/4 - 1/2 tank, and I didn't truly make note of my fuel level the first time around. Sounds like this is the culprit though... From my service manual:

Improper fuel system pressure may contribute to one of the
following conditions:
● Cranks, but won’t run.
● Cuts out (may feel like ignition problem).
● Hesitation, loss of power or poor fuel economy.

I'm thinking I might just skip the pressure test and just go for replacing the lines... Thanks for directing me to that thread, it has everything I need to be dangerous! Thanks again everyone for your help!

 

Make sure the new lines are routed correctly so they don't contact the inside of the tank. Which is what usually causes that problem.