Can't Start Flathead...Need Help
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Sweden
Can't Start Flathead...Need Help
Dear colleagues, I have a Harley Davidson WL 1945 and I my motorcycle doesn’t start after staying a while without use.
i have disassembled and cleaned it’s carburetor (Linkert M88); where I replaced the Venturi and some old gaskets, all was cleaned perfectly well. I have also replaced the contacts on the circuit breaker as well as the condenser ( the contacts and the condenser I used are original from 1946, all good).
Battery is good and shows 6volts.
I have tested the spark plugs and all looks right
The circuit breaker is adjusted with gap of 0,22” when in open position
I prime the bike but it doesn’t not give any sign of life.
I can see that the fuel reaches the bowl, but am not sure if the Venturi and the main nozzle are injecting gasoline further.
i tried everything and my ideas are over. I hope someone can give me some help.
Thank you,
Ed
i have disassembled and cleaned it’s carburetor (Linkert M88); where I replaced the Venturi and some old gaskets, all was cleaned perfectly well. I have also replaced the contacts on the circuit breaker as well as the condenser ( the contacts and the condenser I used are original from 1946, all good).
Battery is good and shows 6volts.
I have tested the spark plugs and all looks right
The circuit breaker is adjusted with gap of 0,22” when in open position
I prime the bike but it doesn’t not give any sign of life.
I can see that the fuel reaches the bowl, but am not sure if the Venturi and the main nozzle are injecting gasoline further.
i tried everything and my ideas are over. I hope someone can give me some help.
Thank you,
Ed
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
epazikas..start a new thread of your own..this one is 7 years old and you are at end. After a few see it, people will miss yours. Try to get it to run briefly on spray starter fluid.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Sweden
The thing is that inside the carburetor is dead dry, at least it seems to be, the throttle is working fine, it opens and closes normally, the fuel is reaching the bowl and the float works fine. I tend to believe that the problem is on the main nozzle that perhaps is not injecting fuel inside the carby.
For your information, I have disassembled and refreshed the carburetor, by cleaning it properly and replacing few worn items (not many of them required to be replaced); but one that I did change was the Venturi (the main nozzle is original and good); the main nozzle now sits extremally tight on the Venturi and am not sure if this could be a problem, because it doesn’t not have any play at all there. As it is, one does not need even the string under the Venturi, because it just sits fast in there.
Could this be a problem?
For your information, I have disassembled and refreshed the carburetor, by cleaning it properly and replacing few worn items (not many of them required to be replaced); but one that I did change was the Venturi (the main nozzle is original and good); the main nozzle now sits extremally tight on the Venturi and am not sure if this could be a problem, because it doesn’t not have any play at all there. As it is, one does not need even the string under the Venturi, because it just sits fast in there.
Could this be a problem?
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
You need to do a pressure test of your manifold. If the nipples or manifold are leaking she will not suck the fuel in and will give you all sorts of problems with starting. Do a search on Google, you need to remove the carb, make a simple plate to bolt in it's place. Make it with a valve to allow you to introduce 14.5 PSI of air pressure. Let it sit for about a minute then spray the nipples and manifold with soapy water. If you see bubbles, fix that issue and repeat until no bubbles. Then try and start her up again.
It seems minor but it isn't.
PS starting fluid and Linkerts are a bad idea, real good way to burn your bike to the ground. I have used it in a pinch, but be very careful.
It seems minor but it isn't.
PS starting fluid and Linkerts are a bad idea, real good way to burn your bike to the ground. I have used it in a pinch, but be very careful.
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Sweden
Hello and thank you for your tip. I have replaced the condenser and the contact on the circuit breaker (original parts that I had stored). This is a video clip I did today showing the prime and try to start the bike. It almost started but it never does start:
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From: Honah Lee
You say you heard it fire and I assume you saw maybe a little smoke from the pipes.? I never heard it fire.
Your post and antique Harley really deserves a new thread of it's own. Even your video is a fantastic view of the past... especially to those who don't even have a choke let alone need to to hit the throttle.
To most, turn a key and hit a button..our cars are just a button..shortly, they won't even have a steering wheel...
Your post and antique Harley really deserves a new thread of it's own. Even your video is a fantastic view of the past... especially to those who don't even have a choke let alone need to to hit the throttle.
To most, turn a key and hit a button..our cars are just a button..shortly, they won't even have a steering wheel...
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 24, 2018 at 10:33 AM.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Sweden
Hello, I did posted a separate thread on the same topic but for some reason you guys are replying in this forum here. Because I am new into this forum, then it is difficult for me to say if my other thread is visible or not.
you are right, there is no fire, but it did smoke and kicked back, but this is all the bike does after I refreshed the carburetor and the circuit breaker.
you are right, there is no fire, but it did smoke and kicked back, but this is all the bike does after I refreshed the carburetor and the circuit breaker.