89 Softail Custom will not fire

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Jul 12, 2010 | 12:25 PM

glassman0313

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Stage I

Joined: Jul 2010

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89 Softail Custom will not fire

Have an 89 softail custom bike will not fire. Have spark, fuel and power. Have replaced the plugs, drained the fuel put new fuel in, new battery just continues to turn over and back fire but wont fire. Rode 200 miles the day before no issues next morning bike wouldn't fire. Spoke with Harley shop replaced circuit breaker and oild pressure sensor still nothing. Help please.

Justin

Jul 12, 2010 | 01:02 PM

96roadking

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Hallsville, Tx.

Could you're timing have changed? How do your plugs look? weak spark?

Jul 12, 2010 | 02:04 PM

Dr.Hess

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From: NW AR

Oh, well, as long as you replaced the oil pressure sensor, that should have fixed it. Not. That's pretty far away from any cause for not starting. Is there spark when you crank it? If you squirt WD 40 down the carb will it fire and try to run? A motor only needs 3 things to start: Spark, fuel and spark and the right time. It don't need an oil pressure light. Circuit breaker is pretty far down on the list of things to go wrong, but we don't know how your bike is wired up ("custom").

Jul 13, 2010 | 03:01 PM

TheBikingViking

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Joined: Sep 2009

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

Actually you missed a key ingredient. It does need three things but they are spark, fuel and COMPRESSION. Spark timing being a part of having correct spark and valve timing being a part of having correct compression. And of course fuel in the right amount. If those 3 things are all in correct order (correct time/amount) then of course your motor should run. That its back firing makes it sound entirely like a timing issue to me, either spark or valve timing. A compression check should give you an idea if your valve timing is correct (although being gear driven and that it was running fine the other day I doubt it's changed unless the pinion or cam gear has stripped. Compression could be low tho so still wouldnt hurt to do a compression check) and I'd pop the nose cone cover and see if maybe the pickup plate has moved (loose hold down screws) to start.

Last edited by TheBikingViking; Jul 13, 2010 at 03:05 PM.

Jul 13, 2010 | 05:57 PM

Tom84FXST

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Joined: Nov 2009

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From: Farmington ,MS

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassman0313

From what you have done, it sounds like the bike was setting up for a while....you changed the gas and got it running, rode it for a day and the next day it would not run. I bet the petcock screen and or the carb is plugged up from stuff that was in the tank that the new gas cut loose.

Jul 13, 2010 | 06:18 PM

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2005

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From:

Maybe a lifter collapsed. If timing is off, it won't run.

Jul 14, 2010 | 10:21 AM

Redd

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 188

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From: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

I have the same bike and had the same problem a couple years back, tried everything you did and more, turned out to be the vacumm switch. (under tank by carb). It advances timing when starting. U can unplug it by the bottom end of the gas tank, there is a wire that runs from ur module up the frame to it. If you unplug it and it runs, then that is your problem. I had to replace mine and my mech, told me it was the 1st time he ever heard of a VOS going south. Hope this helps you out...Redd