1982 FXWG- Kick Only - Not Starting But Has Spark
1982 FXWG- Kick Only - Not Starting But Has Spark
Problems not turning over.
I have a 1982 FXWG w/ Super E and Drags. KICK ONLY.
Was riding just fine no problem, usually 1-2 Kicks to start it. let it sit indoors for 5 days and came down to start it and it wont even try to start.
What I have tried:
1. Light Test Battery - Read 12-12.5
2. Light Test Coil - Read 3-3.2ohms
3. Light Test Dyna S Ignition timing from top coil - Read 11.2ish (spec correct)
4. Multimeter Test both Spark plug wires - Short was 2,000ohms, Long was 12,000ohms - ish
5. Multimeter Test Coil to spark plug wire hole - Forgot the number but it was good too
6. Pulled New spark plugs and attached to spark plug wire and slowly kicked and there was spark onto motor for both.
7. Tried kicking with gas cap off (tank is 3/4 full). Fuel line is full.
8. Only difference was that I changed the spark plugs. Tried the new ones with .2 gap NGK bpr5eix-11 then tried the same type NGK but with stock gap .4 and then put in the old Champion rn12yc and none worked.
Any thoughts what could be happening?
I have a 1982 FXWG w/ Super E and Drags. KICK ONLY.
Was riding just fine no problem, usually 1-2 Kicks to start it. let it sit indoors for 5 days and came down to start it and it wont even try to start.
What I have tried:
1. Light Test Battery - Read 12-12.5
2. Light Test Coil - Read 3-3.2ohms
3. Light Test Dyna S Ignition timing from top coil - Read 11.2ish (spec correct)
4. Multimeter Test both Spark plug wires - Short was 2,000ohms, Long was 12,000ohms - ish
5. Multimeter Test Coil to spark plug wire hole - Forgot the number but it was good too
6. Pulled New spark plugs and attached to spark plug wire and slowly kicked and there was spark onto motor for both.
7. Tried kicking with gas cap off (tank is 3/4 full). Fuel line is full.
8. Only difference was that I changed the spark plugs. Tried the new ones with .2 gap NGK bpr5eix-11 then tried the same type NGK but with stock gap .4 and then put in the old Champion rn12yc and none worked.
Any thoughts what could be happening?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
You make no mention if you tested for compression. You make no mention of testing for fuel delivery (spray from accelerator pump). If you have compression and fuel flow, I will say your ignition died. I lean towards not getting fuel.
ignition module can be dead even tho theres spark? I was also thinking that just maybe the timing loosened up and is off if there is fuel coming. Will check in a few hours.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Brake cleaner works good too. If you had 11.5 at coil and you observed spark ignition (should) be good. when you kick it you should be able to tell if you're compressing, but a gauge is best. As you stated, check your timing. Not sure of your coil, but in original post , point 5 you said coil to spark plug wire hole.......numbers good....
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
Brake cleaner works good too. If you had 11.5 at coil and you observed spark ignition (should) be good. when you kick it you should be able to tell if you're compressing, but a gauge is best. As you stated, check your timing. Not sure of your coil, but in original post , point 5 you said coil to spark plug wire hole.......numbers good....
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
gives yellow spark
needs Blue
dead battery is 22.0v
100% battery is 12.6+
perfect. These were my next steps. Pull air cleaner off and check for any spray. And then compression tester would be next.
ignition module can be dead even tho theres spark? I was also thinking that just maybe the timing loosened up and is off if there is fuel coming. Will check in a few hours.
ignition module can be dead even tho theres spark? I was also thinking that just maybe the timing loosened up and is off if there is fuel coming. Will check in a few hours.
Brake cleaner works good too. If you had 11.5 at coil and you observed spark ignition (should) be good. when you kick it you should be able to tell if you're compressing, but a gauge is best. As you stated, check your timing. Not sure of your coil, but in original post , point 5 you said coil to spark plug wire hole.......numbers good....
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
On most harley coils there should be NO connection between primary and secondary windings, so you should have open circuit or infinity reading.
Back from more testing. This shovel is making no sense to me. But DECENT news.
1. removed air cleaner and plenty of fuel was squirting when twisting the throttle
2. First time doing a compression test. My main fear was the rear having no compression so I started with the front. I did a real easy half *** kick that would start the bike normally and got 30psi. Awesome knew I was going to get something. I put it on the rear and gave it a similar half *** kick and it was 30psi. Then to see I gave the old leg a wind up and really put a good hard kick in and got 60psi. Ofcourse the non tested side I kept the plug in.
3. NOW here is the weird kicker and I know ALL of you are going to sh't on this... a couple weeks ago I tore up my primary tension shoe and switched it out and I was planning on doing an open primary chain set up(been slowly planning this out)... So my final test. I put the primary cover back on and I have a hidden push start in the frame. Used it. Fired up with out a problem. Sounded great. Let it run for 2 minutes. Then tried to kick it... kicked with my half *** one kick and lit up.
So WTF happened do you suppose? Cause I am going to remove the cover and recently decided Im changing it out for a tin primary down the road which will eliminate my push start once again.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 435
From: australia
thats weird. an engine needs 3 things to start. compression spark and fuel. youve got all 3. id check that hidden button
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 256
Likes: 86
From: CA
On the early 80's pointless stock ignition and you have the ignition on for over a specific amount of time (30 seconds I think) you cannot kickstart the bike, when you use the starter button (correct me if I'm wrong) it will remake the necessary timed out connection.
Was a great bar bet, someone with a new wideglide bragging about kick-starting his bike, get them to turn the ignition on then keep him busy until the ignition times out, then stand back, watch him kick then wait for the free beer.
Sometimes for fun we would bet (for more beer) was to come up behind winded kicker turning the ignition off then back on and kicking the bike to life.
Is that your issue? I don't know, but its a good story anyway.
Was a great bar bet, someone with a new wideglide bragging about kick-starting his bike, get them to turn the ignition on then keep him busy until the ignition times out, then stand back, watch him kick then wait for the free beer.
Sometimes for fun we would bet (for more beer) was to come up behind winded kicker turning the ignition off then back on and kicking the bike to life.
Is that your issue? I don't know, but its a good story anyway.
Last edited by Riceburnerfb1; Jun 23, 2022 at 05:31 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 435
From: australia
On the early 80's pointless stock ignition and you have the ignition on for over a specific amount of time (30 seconds I think) you cannot kickstart the bike, when you use the starter button (correct me if I'm wrong) it will remake the necessary timed out connection.
Was a great bar bet, someone with a new wideglide bragging about kick-starting his bike, get them to turn the ignition on then keep him busy until the ignition times out, then stand back, watch him kick then wait for the free beer.
Sometimes for fun we would bet (for more beer) was to come up behind winded kicker turning the ignition off then back on and kicking the bike to life.
Is that your issue? I don't know, but its a good story anyway.
Was a great bar bet, someone with a new wideglide bragging about kick-starting his bike, get them to turn the ignition on then keep him busy until the ignition times out, then stand back, watch him kick then wait for the free beer.
Sometimes for fun we would bet (for more beer) was to come up behind winded kicker turning the ignition off then back on and kicking the bike to life.
Is that your issue? I don't know, but its a good story anyway.