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Oct 25, 2008 | 07:08 PM

hog4u

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 171

Likes: 0

From: Clayton, NC

Trouble starting...

I can't get so much as a pop out of my 72 XLCH. I have fuel, spark and air.

I am thinking weak spark, but before I go get a new battery I though I would ask here first.

When I charge the battery I get the high 12 volt reading, after 10 to 15 kicks it is reading 12.0 volts. I am I just seeing shadows or is my battery too weak?

Thanks for the input.

Pat

Oct 25, 2008 | 08:44 PM

72 Ironhead XLH

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 578

Likes: 60

From: New Jersey

dosent sound like a battery, has it had any work done to it recently.
points adjusted,timing correct,push rods adjusted.

Oct 25, 2008 | 10:05 PM

piniongear

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,035

Likes: 17

From: Houston Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by hog4u

Since you say your bike is a 1972 CH I will assume that you have a kick start only (or at least you are trying to start it by kicking)?
It takes very, very little currant to make the plugs spark on such a machine.
If you have fuel, spark and air......it should run......so what's wrong?
My first choice of problems is concerning your fuel/air mixture. My guess is that you have flooded the engine.
Remove the spark plugs. Are they wet with gasoline? If so, kick the bike over for a few minutes and get rid of the excess gas in the cylinders.
Check the spark plugs to make sure you are getting a nice BLUE zapping spark. If it is a weak orange spark, take a look at your points condition and gap setting. It should be .018 on both ignition lobes.
If it ran the last time you rode it, I bet you have just flooded the engine. If you have not ridden the bike in something like several months, then grab a can of starter fluid and shoot some down the throat of the carb and kick it over. That magic fluid will wake up most sleeping beasts if the problem is a lack of fuel getting to the carb venturi............pg

Oct 26, 2008 | 08:24 AM

hog4u

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 171

Likes: 0

From: Clayton, NC

I have gone through everything Piniongear mentioned with no good result. Why I didn't get it going with starter fluid after clearing the cylinders beats me.

Leading me to the last thing done to it as '72 IH suggests. I cleaned my tank last week to remove rust. Perhaps I left enough water in it to be causing me a problem. I did run it for a few mintues after, then I couldn't get it going again. There was a lot of condensation on the bike, so in the tank as well. So I'll drain everything and put in fresh gas and see where that gets me.

I have been plagued by a rust clogged carb and water in the gas due to parking it without filling the tank.

Part of my problem is I just can't kick it like I use to. Old age and a sore knee. 10 kicks and I'm toast. So I really need it to be hitting it like it should.

Thanks for talking me through this, It does help. I'll report back tonight after a long day of riding or kick'n.

Pic below were taken last week. I removed the rust using reverse electrolysis.

Pat

Oct 26, 2008 | 08:49 AM

sqdealgeorge

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,854

Likes: 20

From: Eagle River WI

I'd go as far as draining and flushing (with oil ) the engine oil and check for water in the carb float bowl ( you've probably done that a few times ) Was that bad knee caused by the sportster kicker !!

Oct 26, 2008 | 10:29 AM

piniongear

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,035

Likes: 17

From: Houston Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by hog4u

I have gone through everything Piniongear mentioned with no good result. Why I didn't get it going with starter fluid after clearing the cylinders beats me.
Leading me to the last thing done to it as '72 IH suggests. I cleaned my tank last week to remove rust. Perhaps I left enough water in it to be causing me a problem. I did run it for a few mintues after, then I couldn't get it going again. There was a lot of condensation on the bike, so in the tank as well. So I'll drain everything and put in fresh gas and see where that gets me.
I have been plagued by a rust clogged carb and water in the gas due to parking it without filling the tank.
Part of my problem is I just can't kick it like I use to. Old age and a sore knee. 10 kicks and I'm toast. So I really need it to be hitting it like it should.
Thanks for talking me through this, It does help. I'll report back tonight after a long day of riding or kick'n.
Pic below were taken last week. I removed the rust using reverse electrolysis.
Pat

Well, you have just answered your own question on why your bike will not start. If you have rust in the carb and water in the tank, well, it's never going to start.
You say you have been plagued by rust in the carb and water and rust in the tank? Here is what has happened and here is the only way to fix it........
The tank became rusty inside at some point for whatever reason.
Once rust starts there is no stopping it, especially inside a gas tank where you cannot see or reach all of the areas.
To fix this you need to remove the carb, take it completely apart and clean everything inside.
Remove your fuel tank and take it to the closest garbage can. Make the deposit.
Buy yourself a brand new fuel tank from J&P or some such place. It should not cost you more than $150 to $200 at most.
Now you will have no more problems. You also will be spending more time riding instead of not riding because you will not be working on the machine.
This is the only cure for a rusty gas tank in my view.............pg

Oct 26, 2008 | 06:10 PM

hog4u

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 171

Likes: 0

From: Clayton, NC

Your right Piniongear. I can only start it with staring fluid. I ran it about 10 miles today. Didn't make any stops.

I have a peanut tank I can put on it and I'll pull the carb this week.

Thanks,

Pat