Starting problems
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
I don't care for those buttons, just don't like the idea of being able to crank the motor, real easy way to walk it off the jiffystand. My master switch is wired so that the first click to the right is ignition only, no lights. After I start it I turn it to the 2nd detent and the lights come on, no more starter click-click..Kind of like a car, you are not supposed to start them with the lights on.
Doug
Doug
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I read the manual on replacing the started and didn't know you have to take the primary cover off to do it.
That sure make the job a little harder.
I'm still thinking about the Ultima 1.4KW starter as my bike has 33,000 miles on it.
The starter does seem to work good and I've had the click a few times but would always start the next try except the other day when it sat for a month or two and it was cold when I tried.
It took some time but it did kick in and started right up.
Woody
That sure make the job a little harder.
I'm still thinking about the Ultima 1.4KW starter as my bike has 33,000 miles on it.
The starter does seem to work good and I've had the click a few times but would always start the next try except the other day when it sat for a month or two and it was cold when I tried.
It took some time but it did kick in and started right up.
Woody
It's like that because when the starter motor is energized, the motion of the starter motor forces the starter shaft out about an inch, which in turn pushes the jackshaft out into the big starter ring gear in the primary to engage it and turn everything over. When you release the starter button, a spring inside the starter pulls the starter shaft (and the attached jackshaft) back out of the big ring gear to disengage the starter. The starter shaft and jackshaft are connected via a housing that has splines inside of it and that fits over both shafts, so they rotate together.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
I don't care for those buttons, just don't like the idea of being able to crank the motor, real easy way to walk it off the jiffystand. My master switch is wired so that the first click to the right is ignition only, no lights. After I start it I turn it to the 2nd detent and the lights come on, no more starter click-click..Kind of like a car, you are not supposed to start them with the lights on.
Doug
Doug
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
I don't care for those buttons, just don't like the idea of being able to crank the motor, real easy way to walk it off the jiffystand. My master switch is wired so that the first click to the right is ignition only, no lights. After I start it I turn it to the 2nd detent and the lights come on, no more starter click-click..Kind of like a car, you are not supposed to start them with the lights on.
Doug
Doug
ALL my scoots are wired this way, FOR the SAME reason. I kick mine, BUT I want ALL the juice for Ign sys. Don't need lights til I roll off.
ALTHO, I do feed the "brake light" from the same terminal, as Ign. (Can run with lights off, in non-headlight states, BUT still have brake light.)
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,430
Likes: 2,632
From: NC USA
ridemywg, if your avatar photo is the bike you want to do, remove the tach/speedo dash. There will be 4 breakers toward the front of the housing and the 2 middle ones are ignition and lights. There is a jumper across them - cut or remove it and the lights will only come on when the switch is in the "lights" position.
Turn signals, gauges and brake lights work off the accessory side of the switch which is energized when the switch is in any position other than off or lock. Simple as that. If it's still clicking it can be the ignition breaker or switch, which is no longer avaliable - but there is a fix for that too.
Turn signals, gauges and brake lights work off the accessory side of the switch which is energized when the switch is in any position other than off or lock. Simple as that. If it's still clicking it can be the ignition breaker or switch, which is no longer avaliable - but there is a fix for that too.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
ridemywg, if your avatar photo is the bike you want to do, remove the tach/speedo dash. There will be 4 breakers toward the front of the housing and the 2 middle ones are ignition and lights. There is a jumper across them - cut or remove it and the lights will only come on when the switch is in the "lights" position.
Turn signals, gauges and brake lights work off the accessory side of the switch which is energized when the switch is in any position other than off or lock. Simple as that. If it's still clicking it can be the ignition breaker or switch, which is no longer avaliable - but there is a fix for that too.
Turn signals, gauges and brake lights work off the accessory side of the switch which is energized when the switch is in any position other than off or lock. Simple as that. If it's still clicking it can be the ignition breaker or switch, which is no longer avaliable - but there is a fix for that too.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Difficulty starting on 95 Ultra.
I had trouble starting my 91 Ultra. I fitted the "push button" on end of starter. What a difference to my stress levels. I did find that the Starter Relay Connection didnt always function because of bad contact between the 2 parts of the Relay. I put 2 plastic ties over the 2 Pcs. of the relay making a tighter fit. That certainly cured the problem
Even very,very slight movement on the lower(male) connector can cause a "non start" situation. Problem I have now is...I have fitted an Ultima ignition system and the bike definitely runs better. Only problem is....it takes quite a number of turns of the starter to "fire" the bike up. I think it is now an Ignition Timing problem. Any suggestions??? Possibly needing advanced or retarded.??? Any suggestions/advice much appreciated. Doug(Scotland UK)
Even very,very slight movement on the lower(male) connector can cause a "non start" situation. Problem I have now is...I have fitted an Ultima ignition system and the bike definitely runs better. Only problem is....it takes quite a number of turns of the starter to "fire" the bike up. I think it is now an Ignition Timing problem. Any suggestions??? Possibly needing advanced or retarded.??? Any suggestions/advice much appreciated. Doug(Scotland UK)
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,430
Likes: 2,632
From: NC USA
I had trouble starting my 91 Ultra. I fitted the "push button" on end of starter. What a difference to my stress levels. I did find that the Starter Relay Connection didnt always function because of bad contact between the 2 parts of the Relay. I put 2 plastic ties over the 2 Pcs. of the relay making a tighter fit. That certainly cured the problem
Even very,very slight movement on the lower(male) connector can cause a "non start" situation. Problem I have now is...I have fitted an Ultima ignition system and the bike definitely runs better. Only problem is....it takes quite a number of turns of the starter to "fire" the bike up. I think it is now an Ignition Timing problem. Any suggestions??? Possibly needing advanced or retarded.??? Any suggestions/advice much appreciated. Doug(Scotland UK)
Even very,very slight movement on the lower(male) connector can cause a "non start" situation. Problem I have now is...I have fitted an Ultima ignition system and the bike definitely runs better. Only problem is....it takes quite a number of turns of the starter to "fire" the bike up. I think it is now an Ignition Timing problem. Any suggestions??? Possibly needing advanced or retarded.??? Any suggestions/advice much appreciated. Doug(Scotland UK)
But otherwise, the Ultima ignition by default causes 3 "dead" cranking revs and for good reason. But if it's clearly taking more than that, especially when warmed up then I'd agree the timing may be too low. You can set it without a light. Just read and re-read the instruction sheet and follow the directions to the letter. It's very straightforward and accurate.