Wearing down my last good nerve
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
Opps If you mean the kill switch it won't bypass that. The motor will crank but not start.
Least that's how mine worked
WP
Last edited by WP50; Feb 15, 2020 at 10:20 AM. Reason: add info
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
I found that the little start relays don't last and the new ones are garbage.
After my stock one quit I installed a new one that only lasted 3 months.
I installed the plunger on the starter solenoid and tweaked the contacts in the old relay.
That old relay's been good for 8 years, and I haven't needed to use the plunger.
But it's there if I need it.
After my stock one quit I installed a new one that only lasted 3 months.
I installed the plunger on the starter solenoid and tweaked the contacts in the old relay.
That old relay's been good for 8 years, and I haven't needed to use the plunger.
But it's there if I need it.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 6,657
From: Gruene Texas
More info for the starting problem.
Today I started and ran the bike for the first time since August. I did a total of 4 starts, Ran it at a high idle for roughly 4 minutes, let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Started fine every time.
Was going to do it for a fifth time to adjust the idle and halfway through the starter turning over it just quit, nothing. Did some chores for about half an hour, went to start it again and again, starter turned fast for maybe 1 1/2 second then nothing.
Waiting for my push button solenoid start button to come in the mail.
Today I started and ran the bike for the first time since August. I did a total of 4 starts, Ran it at a high idle for roughly 4 minutes, let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Started fine every time.
Was going to do it for a fifth time to adjust the idle and halfway through the starter turning over it just quit, nothing. Did some chores for about half an hour, went to start it again and again, starter turned fast for maybe 1 1/2 second then nothing.
Waiting for my push button solenoid start button to come in the mail.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
To me that would indicate a weak battery.
Now if the push button overcomes the problem___ start back tracking the the system for a problem.
You would not be the first to bypass a problem for diagnostics, just best to go back and fix the problem.
WP
Now if the push button overcomes the problem___ start back tracking the the system for a problem.
You would not be the first to bypass a problem for diagnostics, just best to go back and fix the problem.
WP
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 6,657
From: Gruene Texas
Could be battery. Earlier today I replaced the battery in my riding mower with another walmart neverstart. The previous lasted 7 years.
My neighbor, who also has an 1980 fatboy EVO is thinking the problem is in the contacts in the switches.
My last remaining brain cell is thinking the wire is good. The problem is at the front end of the wire, contacts or back end, relay or solenoid. During the build I did jack with the switches but never touched the solenoid.
My neighbor, who also has an 1980 fatboy EVO is thinking the problem is in the contacts in the switches.
My last remaining brain cell is thinking the wire is good. The problem is at the front end of the wire, contacts or back end, relay or solenoid. During the build I did jack with the switches but never touched the solenoid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,640
From: Poolville
That's why I always jump the solenoid from the battery cable just to eliminate all possible switches and wiring and relays. The push button on the end of solenoid is a great fix, especially when you're diagnosing an intermittent wiring problem...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
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From: W. MI.
I went through this on my 89 UC. I put the fail safe on the solenoid and said screw the switch. The switch works intermittently but I don't worry about it. Put the fail safe on it anyway, you may be glad you did. I have 3 bikes, all of them have one.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 6,657
From: Gruene Texas
I ordered a solenoid button off ebay, should be in tomorrow, and I'll go into the switch pak to see if I can fix the original problem. Yesterday after work I dialed in the carb enough for my maiden voyage whenever our weather clears up.