Bike has been sitting--won't start
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Bike has been sitting--won't start
Hi all,
I have a '99 fatboy that I used to drive regularly up until a couple of years ago when I went back overseas for awhile, and it was left sitting in my garage for that time (sorry
). Well, I'm back and I'd like to get the beast back up and running in perfect shape again. Before I left the bike ran just fine, but now it wont start. It turns over but won't ignite, the extent of trouble shooting so far has been hooking it up to a fresh battery, but to no avail. Any suggestions as to where to start looking? I'm no genious when it comes to engines, but I'd like to at least give it a shot myself before I tow it to a professional (and I have the repair manual--I'm good with directions
).
Thanks!!
I have a '99 fatboy that I used to drive regularly up until a couple of years ago when I went back overseas for awhile, and it was left sitting in my garage for that time (sorry
). Well, I'm back and I'd like to get the beast back up and running in perfect shape again. Before I left the bike ran just fine, but now it wont start. It turns over but won't ignite, the extent of trouble shooting so far has been hooking it up to a fresh battery, but to no avail. Any suggestions as to where to start looking? I'm no genious when it comes to engines, but I'd like to at least give it a shot myself before I tow it to a professional (and I have the repair manual--I'm good with directions).Thanks!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
If you left the fuel in there for a a couple years,that fuel has probably turn to gum,varnish.Best thing to do is drain and rinse the tank,fuel line.Might want to replace the fuel filter or clean the petcock screen.
The carb should be cleaned also.Check the jets and needle/seat for for any gummed up gas.
The carb should be cleaned also.Check the jets and needle/seat for for any gummed up gas.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Outer Banks of Insanity, IL
+1...worked on a sporty some years back I had
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Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
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Thanks for the replies guys..!! Well I took the carburetor out and drained it and it definitely didn't smell like fuel, more like a paint-shop so I guess some of the fuel had gone bad. I cleaned it out as good as I could without taking the entire thing apart. However (and forgive me for using the wrong nomenclature here), when I engaged the throttle there was fuel leaking out where the "throttle arm" attaches to the carburetor...I opened that portion up and there is a membrane/filter right there, and I assume this is some form of secondary fuel filter??? I'm assuming that has gone bad and no longer seals. I am having trouble with photobucket at the moment but I'll try to get a pic or two up to help identify this part.
Now someone mentioned a fuel filter...I can't find one in-between the petcock (had to google that word
) and the carburetor..I assume an inline filter is not standard.
Again, thanks for your help guys...I may not know what I'm doing, but I still have a blast doing it....
Now someone mentioned a fuel filter...I can't find one in-between the petcock (had to google that word
) and the carburetor..I assume an inline filter is not standard.Again, thanks for your help guys...I may not know what I'm doing, but I still have a blast doing it....
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Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8
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Here are some pics of the parts I was talking about...
This is the membrane/filter I was talking about....
Lousy pic, but this is where I noticed the leak. Coming from the rubber sleeve covering the needle/pin attached to the throttle.
This is the membrane/filter I was talking about....
Lousy pic, but this is where I noticed the leak. Coming from the rubber sleeve covering the needle/pin attached to the throttle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
The membrane is a diaphragm...if it has holes like a filter, replace it. You outta just replace all of the rubber in the carb. Cheap insurance. I believe the other pic has a shaft with an o-ring that can be replaced.