General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Someone PLEASE help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2017 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
Rigidbuild's Avatar
Rigidbuild
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default Someone PLEASE help

Just about to complete my first build. Problem I'm having is with getting the engine running. I have a 1990 evo big twin. All stock. Installed a ultima 53-644 programmable ignition. Problem is I can't get the bike to run. Always wants to blow the fuel out of the carb like the timing is way off. I've triple checked everything and am not getting anywhere. I've set tdc a hundred times with rocker cover off and watching the valves. I've tried leaving the ignition loose and turning it by hand while cranking, all I seem to get is either gas blowing out of carb or backfire out of rear exhaust pipe. I'm at a loss right now, tried following all instructions with the manual. I've checked to make sure cam and crank settings are lined up and they are. Don't know what else to try???? Maybe bad ignition??? Please help and try not to be to hard on me, this is my first bike build using Harley parts so it's been a learning curve to say the least. Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 01:56 PM
  #2  
Yamaharley's Avatar
Yamaharley
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Default

Is the ignition plate sitting completely horizontal with room to adjust timing on each side? Don't worry you will get this! And welcome.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 01:56 PM
  #3  
Rigidbuild's Avatar
Rigidbuild
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

Also not running voes, that feature is off on the module and the wire is not grounded. I've checked voltage to the coil while cranking shows 10.5-11 volts. Light on the module blinks showing it doing something and it does have good spark.

Originally Posted by Yamaharley
Is the ignition plate sitting completely horizontal with room to adjust timing on each side? Don't worry you will get this! And welcome.

Not it sure what you mean??
 

Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 16, 2017 at 10:20 PM.
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 02:03 PM
  #4  
Yamaharley's Avatar
Yamaharley
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Default

Is the plate movable so you can both advance or regard timing of needed. Its not completely to one side in the mounting slots.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 02:41 PM
  #5  
Rigidbuild's Avatar
Rigidbuild
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by Yamaharley
Is the plate movable so you can both advance or regard timing of needed. Its not completely to one side in the mounting slots.
yes it is moveable, I tried rotating it while cranking the engine and still no luck.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 02:49 PM
  #6  
silveradoman2's Avatar
silveradoman2
Road Master
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 103
From: Lake County, CA
Default

You might check again the TDC point. Sounds like it could very well be off.
Sometimes you might get confused as to when it is at TDC. Just thinking out loud.

That or is it possible you have the ignition wires reversed? You state you installed the new ignition system, double check the wiring. Even though it's a single fire ignition, might have the wires reversed.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 02:53 PM
  #7  
Schex's Avatar
Schex
Club Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 7,847
From: SE Louisiana
Riders Club Member
Default

Make sure your getting enough voltage to the coil and module, check voltage on the white wire at the coil while cranking, or just run a jumper from the battery + to the post with the white wire.

tighten down the ignition module, it may have to ground through the plate
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 03:58 PM
  #8  
Rigidbuild's Avatar
Rigidbuild
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

I've tried reversing the plug wires, I've checked the wiring, and checked voltage at the white wire during cranking and it shows 10.5-11 while engine is being cranked. I've checked tdc 100 times. As of now the rocker covers are off so I could check for compression stroke. I'm wondering if it's a bad ignition but the dealer tells me they sell 5 a week and never had a bad one come back.

It has good spark just not at the right time. I've tried doing single fire I've tried dual fire, I've tried with the voes wire grounded, I've tried different advance setting on the ignition itself. You'd think that by rotating the module while cranking eventually it would find a happy stop and fire over. Can't be rocket appliances. Only two cylinders here. Just don't know what else to try. I'm going to try again tonight when I get him retime at tdc and see what happens.
 

Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 16, 2017 at 10:20 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 16, 2017 | 04:20 PM
  #9  
chamokie's Avatar
chamokie
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 248
From: Milton Mills NH
Supporter
Default

If fuel is blowing out the carb you have a timing issue. Ya I know you checked it.The intake valve is open during a compression stroke.
Have someone else eye ball it. There is something you are missing.

I put a straw in the plug hole, bring the piston TDC, valves CLOSED, all marks should be aligned. I am willing to be you are a tooth off somewhere.

Good luck, keep us informed on what you find, any info a passed will help the next guy.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2017 | 04:33 PM
  #10  
Rigidbuild's Avatar
Rigidbuild
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

I didn't think all the marks had to be aligned at top dead center??? I thought you lined up the marks then moved onto the timing???
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE