Master mechanic question
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: WV
Master mechanic question
81 shovelhead build
morris magneto
super e carb
looks to be a kn air filter
single plugs autolite .40 gap
zipper jet
Checked push rods and no slip and spin freely
no battery obviously
bike is a bitch to start! Usually unsuccessful and don’t ride. It has become worse in my opinion in the last few weeks. Has spark fuel and air. Today I cleaned the fuel filter (irrelevant) because I’m desperate. It was choked and started, ran for about 10-15 seconds and I shut the choke off and it was idling. I give it a little gas and it died. Could not start it back up. I read about retarding to start. It is a rogue and old school system. Could it be something with the timing or something in the magneto? Killing me.
morris magneto
super e carb
looks to be a kn air filter
single plugs autolite .40 gap
zipper jet
Checked push rods and no slip and spin freely
no battery obviously
bike is a bitch to start! Usually unsuccessful and don’t ride. It has become worse in my opinion in the last few weeks. Has spark fuel and air. Today I cleaned the fuel filter (irrelevant) because I’m desperate. It was choked and started, ran for about 10-15 seconds and I shut the choke off and it was idling. I give it a little gas and it died. Could not start it back up. I read about retarding to start. It is a rogue and old school system. Could it be something with the timing or something in the magneto? Killing me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 2,168
From: australia
have you checked what the ignition timing should be for a magneto ignition...iam not sure about HDs, just my norton 750 atlas is timed at 32 deg BTDC(twin points) but with a magneto its timed at 28 deg BTDC...plug gap is a little shorter for a maggy as well. Is the magneto in good condition?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,095
Likes: 7,622
From: Poolville
81 shovelhead build
morris magneto
super e carb
looks to be a kn air filter
single plugs autolite .40 gap
zipper jet
Checked push rods and no slip and spin freely
no battery obviously
bike is a bitch to start! Usually unsuccessful and don’t ride. It has become worse in my opinion in the last few weeks. Has spark fuel and air. Today I cleaned the fuel filter (irrelevant) because I’m desperate. It was choked and started, ran for about 10-15 seconds and I shut the choke off and it was idling. I give it a little gas and it died. Could not start it back up. I read about retarding to start. It is a rogue and old school system. Could it be something with the timing or something in the magneto? Killing me.
morris magneto
super e carb
looks to be a kn air filter
single plugs autolite .40 gap
zipper jet
Checked push rods and no slip and spin freely
no battery obviously
bike is a bitch to start! Usually unsuccessful and don’t ride. It has become worse in my opinion in the last few weeks. Has spark fuel and air. Today I cleaned the fuel filter (irrelevant) because I’m desperate. It was choked and started, ran for about 10-15 seconds and I shut the choke off and it was idling. I give it a little gas and it died. Could not start it back up. I read about retarding to start. It is a rogue and old school system. Could it be something with the timing or something in the magneto? Killing me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
mag spark plug gap is .025 and the points gap is very very fussy if not right - sporty mag is ,020 - morris is .016 and its the same unit so some experimentation needed - changing the mag points gap changes the timing enough to stop it from starting - just so you know
and plug wires really want to be solid core copper - carbon electronic wires on some works of BUT yours is fussy
and lastly timing set it on the advance mark and try to kick it at full advance or just a 1/4 inch back retarded
if your is auto advance = that is going to be the other issue as they retard the timing way too much and 50 kicks at least to get it to catch
of course you said nothing about what the mag has or does not have so
and plug wires really want to be solid core copper - carbon electronic wires on some works of BUT yours is fussy
and lastly timing set it on the advance mark and try to kick it at full advance or just a 1/4 inch back retarded
if your is auto advance = that is going to be the other issue as they retard the timing way too much and 50 kicks at least to get it to catch
of course you said nothing about what the mag has or does not have so
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 207
From: Minneapolis
please provide more info - pics if possible - when you are kicking and kicking and kicking - have you ever tries a shot of ether (starting fluid)?
when it ran - and died - did you pull a plug and look - I've had Super E carbs that dumped fuel and fouled plugs to soot in less than 20 seconds
You'll get your answers here - but we need more info
when it ran - and died - did you pull a plug and look - I've had Super E carbs that dumped fuel and fouled plugs to soot in less than 20 seconds
You'll get your answers here - but we need more info
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 2,168
From: australia
best thing to do is go through the prosess of elimination...fuel first, like Fergerberger said..(its the least expensive as well) then once it has been established its not a fuel related issue check out the Magneto...plug gaps etc like John said is a good start......Mr Lexus option sounds good too
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,404
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Pay attention to what johnjzjz posted, morris mags and shovelheads were never a good mix and I back up his statement about them being very finicky to setup and even then done correctly they are still a touchy SOB starting. Plug gap .025-.028" max for a mag.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post