Bad coil?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I just bought my first Harley, a carbed Dyna and had troubles starting it. I figured out if I pull on the choke give the throttle a good couple of turns it fires up every time. Seems it wasn't getting enough fuel after sitting even over night.
Anyone else have this problem or is there something I should be fixing? lol
Anyone else have this problem or is there something I should be fixing? lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I just bought the bike less than a month ago, so dont know much about it other than Screaming Eagle heads, S&S Carb and breather, DynaTech ignition module and coil.
I had a hard time getting it started from the get go. I suspect some of it was getting use to the choke, but I also changed the plugs and it ran like a champ. Then sunday, I rode about 100 miles, ran great all day until I was just about home, then it sputtered and died... havent been able to start it since. I havent changed anything at all on it.
Well Im obviously gonna have to do some more troubleshooting in the areas you mentioned. Thanks for the info!
I had a hard time getting it started from the get go. I suspect some of it was getting use to the choke, but I also changed the plugs and it ran like a champ. Then sunday, I rode about 100 miles, ran great all day until I was just about home, then it sputtered and died... havent been able to start it since. I havent changed anything at all on it.
Well Im obviously gonna have to do some more troubleshooting in the areas you mentioned. Thanks for the info!
Start with a clean set of plugs (again). You can use the cheapest champions here until you get this all figured out. That is, you don't have to buy "super $creaming Eagle" branded whatever plugs. Were the old plugs wet? See if it starts. If not, spray a little starting fluid around the back of the intake (I assume you have the S&S air cleaner as well,) and crank it. If you have the vacuum operated petcock, a vacuum leak will shut off your motor. Most people replace those things. Pingle makes a good one.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
You have a carb/fuel issue. What color are the plugs?
Start with a clean set of plugs (again). You can use the cheapest champions here until you get this all figured out. That is, you don't have to buy "super $creaming Eagle" branded whatever plugs. Were the old plugs wet? See if it starts. If not, spray a little starting fluid around the back of the intake (I assume you have the S&S air cleaner as well,) and crank it. If you have the vacuum operated petcock, a vacuum leak will shut off your motor. Most people replace those things. Pingle makes a good one.
Start with a clean set of plugs (again). You can use the cheapest champions here until you get this all figured out. That is, you don't have to buy "super $creaming Eagle" branded whatever plugs. Were the old plugs wet? See if it starts. If not, spray a little starting fluid around the back of the intake (I assume you have the S&S air cleaner as well,) and crank it. If you have the vacuum operated petcock, a vacuum leak will shut off your motor. Most people replace those things. Pingle makes a good one.
Also what color are the plugs you are pulling out? White means it is running lean and black means rich. What you want is a light brown.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,404
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Seen a guy blow the head off a bike with a propane torch and few eyebrows cooked off , use non chlorinated Brake clean the engine dies out not takes off . Much simpler for the non mechanically inclined .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
WOW. My bad. Thats what Ive always used since i Caught my hands on fire with carb cleaner many years ago.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,404
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
California special one of the few things they go right .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Yea not a fan of the CA brake clean. Basically acetone in a can (well the stuff I get at Napa is) and if your not carefull it will remove paint off a motor. At least it removed some of the silver paint off my motor.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Actually, we weren't looking for a manifold vacuum leak in this case, but looking to see if he has no fuel. A little starting fluid squirted at the opening for the air cleaner (behind the oval on a S&S,) and if it tries to fire, indicates he has no gas. Thus, I suggested a quirt of starting fluid. A non-flammable fluid wouldn't help him start at all.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,404
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Skip napa , I get mine in bulk from Walmart or harbour frieght way cheaper . Yes you do have to pick and choose where & how to use the stuff , LOL .