1975 shovelhead
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
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From: monroeville alabama
1975 shovelhead
I just bought my first harley. its a 1975 shovel head i rode for a couple days then it sat for twenty minutes and i cant get it to crank its a kickstart with new plugs i just cant get it to fire up. can anyone help?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Yeah check the basics. Is battery charged, will lights come on, if not check batt ground wire and charge the batt. Check for spark and if there move on to fuel. Try kicking with choke pulled. etc, etc, etc. Good luck and congrats on having a classic shovel. Wish it was mine.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Check for spark first thing and change the plugs just because and try again . See if your accecl pump is moving gas when you hit it if not screen on your petcock may be grunged up , happen with old bikes that's been sitting a while .
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,218
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From: Yakima WA
And don't forget, when they say give it a kick, that means GIVE IT A KICK!!!
Reminds me of my old 93 inch shovel, kick start magneto. It could be hateful at times when trying to start it.
Reminds me of my old 93 inch shovel, kick start magneto. It could be hateful at times when trying to start it.
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
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From: monroeville alabama
ok i tried those few things and im still not getting anything. the battery did go dead but i hooked it up to a kubota tractor and let it charge for a while. the light came back on then i tried those tips. i tried to pull start it earlier and it wouldnt fire up just ran in gear. could the carburetor be the problem? im just not a good mechanic and im trying to figure this old bike out.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
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From: North Carolina
more than likely it had been sitting for a while. Which means it had trash in tank, ran till stuff got clogged. Idle circuit is the smallest in the carb so easiest to clogg. Pull tank and flush,pull petcock and clean screen, pull carb and clean.