Electric start vs Kick
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
Electric start vs Kick
Hi guys, I am new to the forum. I had recently inherited my fathers 77 FXE which I have been learning to work on over the past few months. The bike seems to run pretty well at this point however I have better luck kick starting the bike than I do with the push button electric start. I am pretty new to early model bike but I would have thought it would be the other way around. The bike has been upgraded by my father from points to electronic at some point and the AGM battery is pretty new and sits on a float charger all the time. When cold, I usually get about 5 good cranks from the push button before it seems the battery is to week to crank any more. At that point, i usually give it a couple kicks and it starts up. Any one have any advise? Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I'll take a SWAG.
The electronic ignition your Dad put on that bike is set up for kick starting. One flip of the correct dip switch and you could reliably start it with the electric starter (but at this point kicking will be difficult).
Carl
The electronic ignition your Dad put on that bike is set up for kick starting. One flip of the correct dip switch and you could reliably start it with the electric starter (but at this point kicking will be difficult).
Carl
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
By dip switches i am guessing you are talking about on the electronic module that is where the points used to be? (sorry for being ignorant, Im pretty new to this) The part inside the points cover does not seem to have any switches on it, unless they are on the back side.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
There's a lot of choices for electronic ignitions. Post a picture. Im not familiar with the dipswitch for kick/electric, my two have to be computer programed for dead revs or not. Does your iggy have a brand on it?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
The Ignition coil says DYNA but I dont see anything in here.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
That's what I'm saying I can kick it over no problem every time. It's when I try to use the ignition switch that it doesn't like to start.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
that is a very good ignition its dual fire and the coil OHMs should be 4.6 to 5.1 OHMs if its 3.0 OHMs it will burn out as you have the wrong ignition coil - remove the two wires on the coil and connect a meter on them what does it read - the center of the ignition is the trigger behind it is a advance unit - they go bad - if it runs and has good power it might be ok but it also could be siezed in total advance possession - can you turn it in the clockwise direction and does it snap back of is it lazy when you move it
starter system - you could have a frozen bearing in the starter housing - the 2 gears have rust on them and of course the battery is junk or too low in CCA you need at least today 310 CCA
starter system - you could have a frozen bearing in the starter housing - the 2 gears have rust on them and of course the battery is junk or too low in CCA you need at least today 310 CCA
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
that is a very good ignition its dual fire and the coil OHMs should be 4.6 to 5.1 OHMs if its 3.0 OHMs it will burn out as you have the wrong ignition coil - remove the two wires on the coil and connect a meter on them what does it read - the center of the ignition is the trigger behind it is a advance unit - they go bad - if it runs and has good power it might be ok but it also could be siezed in total advance possession - can you turn it in the clockwise direction and does it snap back of is it lazy when you move it
starter system - you could have a frozen bearing in the starter housing - the 2 gears have rust on them and of course the battery is junk or too low in CCA you need at least today 310 CCA
starter system - you could have a frozen bearing in the starter housing - the 2 gears have rust on them and of course the battery is junk or too low in CCA you need at least today 310 CCA
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 487
Likes: 289
From: Northern MN
You said the battery is 'pretty new'. Not sure what that means in terms of time. My first guess and the easiest place to start is the battery and or the battery connections including the ground and wires to the starter. I doesn't matter if it;s on a float charge all the time. A battery will last three to five years. after that you are on borrowed time. Even a five year old battery is past it's time to get replaced.
Tom
Tom