bike cuts out while driving...problem solved
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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bike cuts out while driving...problem solved
I need mental help , this bike is killing me.
(1980 shovelhead, electronic ignition..had points before, s&s carb, straight pipes)
When i first start the bike i can drive it maybe 1 mile or so and it just cuts out as though you turned the switch off, the lights are still on, no sputter or anything just dies then i pull over and restart it, drive down the street a couple minutes and it cuts out again, it does this for the first 10 minutes...then never does it again until i stop for a couple hours...then the problem returns. I have replaced the coil, spark plugs and wires. I have ran a wire from the battery directly to coil, replaced the large switch on the gas tank, replaced the vented gas cap, still the bike just cuts out 3 or 4 times in the first 10 minutes.....then ....works great with no problems the rest of the day unless i turn off the bike for a couple hours, then it does the same thing..semms like a cold issue .any ideas ...lifters...valves ...help please.
(1980 shovelhead, electronic ignition..had points before, s&s carb, straight pipes)
When i first start the bike i can drive it maybe 1 mile or so and it just cuts out as though you turned the switch off, the lights are still on, no sputter or anything just dies then i pull over and restart it, drive down the street a couple minutes and it cuts out again, it does this for the first 10 minutes...then never does it again until i stop for a couple hours...then the problem returns. I have replaced the coil, spark plugs and wires. I have ran a wire from the battery directly to coil, replaced the large switch on the gas tank, replaced the vented gas cap, still the bike just cuts out 3 or 4 times in the first 10 minutes.....then ....works great with no problems the rest of the day unless i turn off the bike for a couple hours, then it does the same thing..semms like a cold issue .any ideas ...lifters...valves ...help please.
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
This problem seemed to come out of know where. I originally kept the old coil and everything was fine for a year, then the problem started after an accident (i think) , so i replaced the coil with one designed for electronic ignition....the problem still is there. Only seems to act up when cold.....once warmed up it works fine.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From:
RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
Mine has a similar problem. Mine will shut off while ideling...like at a stop light(like someone hit the kill switch). It will only do it once in a while. It will always restart just fine. I always assumed it was my high lift cam..it gives it a little rough idel so I just thought it might be a misfire.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From:
RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
i would check the main circuit breaker. they have a tendency to corrode on the inside which causes them to get weak. you can get them at an auto parts store cheeper than from a dealer.
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
MMM.... an intake leak....when warms up seals itself ...perhaps...sounds like a spot to check...sound right to anyone else. Since i know very little about bikes i appreciate any help.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
Make sure the petcock is dribbling enough gas. Mine had me buffaloed this spring. Didn't think a petcock would fail by not working at all. Now I know.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From:
RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
ORIGINAL: shovelman202
MMM.... an intake leak....when warms up seals itself ...perhaps...sounds like a spot to check...sound right to anyone else. Since i know very little about bikes i appreciate any help.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
MMM.... an intake leak....when warms up seals itself ...perhaps...sounds like a spot to check...sound right to anyone else. Since i know very little about bikes i appreciate any help.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
Good Luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 2
From: NH
RE: bike cuts out while driving...help
ORIGINAL: Hippy43
I'm not a harley mechanic by any means, I just work on my own here lately BUT from what you are describing it sounds like a loose or dirty electrical connection. The fuses around your breakers, while sounds like a good idea isn't really. Only one or the other would blow but a bad/ dirty breaker might cause your issue. Wait, you said you wired fuses in series < inline> with the breakers or parallel < across> the breakers? The fact it really only does it cold makes me think check ALL electrical connections, make sure all plug-in connections are clean and crap free. Good friend of mine had the exact opposite, ran great cold and when it got hot it died. Turned out to be a connector under the tanks that expanded when hot.. He pulled all his connector apart, cleaned them, then sprayed them with WD-40... Hasn't failed yet...
Good Luck!
ORIGINAL: shovelman202
MMM.... an intake leak....when warms up seals itself ...perhaps...sounds like a spot to check...sound right to anyone else. Since i know very little about bikes i appreciate any help.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
MMM.... an intake leak....when warms up seals itself ...perhaps...sounds like a spot to check...sound right to anyone else. Since i know very little about bikes i appreciate any help.
As for the breaker ...i put a fuses on all the breakers , thinking that if a breaker blew it would pop a fuse and i would see which one went....none ever blew.
Any other ideas i should look at......
The bike runs great from start to finish...except for the cut-outs for the first 10 minutes.
Good Luck!