Bad coil?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
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: 66,141
Likes: 51,484
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,066
Likes: 4,568
From: Haslet Texas
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.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis, MO
Well the world may never know exactly why she wouldnt start now, lol. I pulled the fuel line off of the petcock and blew thru the petcock. I got a slight resistance at first, so I suspect that was most likely the problem. However, I also pulled the plugs to look at the color, but since I pulled them the other night and cleaned them off, in the dark so I couldnt really see them, they were still clean... not wet though. Anyway, after I did all that, it fired right up! Im gonna take it for a ride tomorrow (with tools, lol) and then pull the plugs and have a look at them, but I suspect it was just a clogged strainer in the fuel tank. Oh well... rookie mistake!
Thanks everyone for all the great advice and help... I will definitely keep all of it in mind for future reference. And Dr Hess, I am definitely going to look into replacing that petcock! I thought that sounded like a pretty hoky setup the minute I realized it was vacuum operated. Is there something wrong with gravity??? lol
Thanks everyone for all the great advice and help... I will definitely keep all of it in mind for future reference. And Dr Hess, I am definitely going to look into replacing that petcock! I thought that sounded like a pretty hoky setup the minute I realized it was vacuum operated. Is there something wrong with gravity??? lol
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,141
Likes: 51,484
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Well the world may never know exactly why she wouldnt start now, lol. I pulled the fuel line off of the petcock and blew thru the petcock. I got a slight resistance at first, so I suspect that was most likely the problem. However, I also pulled the plugs to look at the color, but since I pulled them the other night and cleaned them off, in the dark so I couldnt really see them, they were still clean... not wet though. Anyway, after I did all that, it fired right up! Im gonna take it for a ride tomorrow (with tools, lol) and then pull the plugs and have a look at them, but I suspect it was just a clogged strainer in the fuel tank. Oh well... rookie mistake!
Thanks everyone for all the great advice and help... I will definitely keep all of it in mind for future reference. And Dr Hess, I am definitely going to look into replacing that petcock! I thought that sounded like a pretty hoky setup the minute I realized it was vacuum operated. Is there something wrong with gravity??? lol
Thanks everyone for all the great advice and help... I will definitely keep all of it in mind for future reference. And Dr Hess, I am definitely going to look into replacing that petcock! I thought that sounded like a pretty hoky setup the minute I realized it was vacuum operated. Is there something wrong with gravity??? lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Yeah, good work there. Probably the petcock. As I said, Pingle is a good one, and they are cheapest from Jireh Cycles.
AND LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU: Your buddies who told you it had to be a bad coil are FOS. (Full of Shiite.)
AND LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU: Your buddies who told you it had to be a bad coil are FOS. (Full of Shiite.)
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis, MO
I guess I am still concerned about the resistance readings on my coil being almost twice what they should be according to manufacturers specs. Should I worry about that or just go with the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" attitude?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Coils (and most electronics like that) tend to blow shorted or open. Anything else and you re probably OK.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,141
Likes: 51,484
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You are using Dynatechs spec sheet , right ?
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis, MO
Yes, I am going by the numbers on the Dynatech spec sheet, not from the HD Service Manual, although they are pretty much the same. The spec says it should read approximately 10,500 Ohms, but Im getting a reading of 18,500 Ohms on the secondary circuit. I will just assume all is good! Thanks again guys!