Can your harley be bump started??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
You would need at least 10 volts for the ECM to function and the fuel pump to build up pressure on the newer bikes. So if the battery is graveyard dead it ain't gonna start. Won't have enough crankshft rpm for the alternator to help either unless you push very fast a very long way.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
Never needed to do this on mine but I'd think that the Sportster would be easiest - lower compression and carb'd, my Dyna has a moderate compression increase so bumping it would be moderately harder whilst the King I'd only really want to do that on a hill or with my mates doing the pushing - it's so much heavier
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 25,718
Likes: 41
From: WIMBORNE,DORSET, GREATBRITAIN
Huh??? WTF is a 'fool' pump????? 
H*LL, I 'roll start' mine, every chance I git, it's qwikr than kikkin', sometimes. IF'N I can get 2 'yunguns' to push, H*LL YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Betta they be wored out from pushin', rather than me from kikkin'. I was born in the dark, BUT it wuznt LAST NITE!!!!
DON'T SPRAIN YOUR THUMBS, nuttin worst than Sportster "thumb".
UHHHHH, Senior Moment, I tink thatz Sportster "knee". MY BAD!!!!!
H*LL, I 'roll start' mine, every chance I git, it's qwikr than kikkin', sometimes. IF'N I can get 2 'yunguns' to push, H*LL YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Betta they be wored out from pushin', rather than me from kikkin'. I was born in the dark, BUT it wuznt LAST NITE!!!!
DON'T SPRAIN YOUR THUMBS, nuttin worst than Sportster "thumb".
UHHHHH, Senior Moment, I tink thatz Sportster "knee". MY BAD!!!!!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
+1. Very few people know that push starting a new EFI HD is only possible with some power left to fire it and run the fuel pump. I could see push starting a EFI HD if the starter was not working for some reason. The best option is to jump it off if it is a dead battery.
You would need at least 10 volts for the ECM to function and the fuel pump to build up pressure on the newer bikes. So if the battery is graveyard dead it ain't gonna start. Won't have enough crankshft rpm for the alternator to help either unless you push very fast a very long way. Have helped bump start 2 bikes this year. One was a fuel injected dyna with starter circuit issues and one was a sporty that the battery was weak but not totally dead.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, LA.
I know that feeling about sportster thumb. I put a new battery on my Road King not long ago and the first time I started her, she threw my thumb over the handle bars.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
If your having charging system problems and there's enough juice left to bump start the bike, pull the headlight fuse first...it'll save wasting a lot of juice that your fuel pump/ignition may need. You can go a long way on just a battery if the lights aren't on. I found out...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi,Texas
had a norton commando back in the 70's only way I could start it was to push start in 2nd (kick start pedal broke to broke to replace)
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