Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

No Start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2012 | 07:09 PM
  #1  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default No Start

The 74 FLH is at it again :-) I've noticed lately there's been an intermittent burp in the system while pressing my ignition button. Sometimes there will be a good 2-4 second delay before the starter engages after pressing the ignition button. Sometimes there won't be nothing and I'll have to press the button again. Now I have nothing. She got a new starter solenoid a couple months ago, I'm not thinking that's the problem. There is literally no noise at all when trying to start it. No buzz, hum, click, scratch. I used a jump wire on the starter relay switch and she turns right over and fires up. Sooooo....take apart the hand control and look at the button itself? I'm actually heading out to the garage to do that right now. Just wanted to see what this great forum has to offer in advice just in case this button isn't my issue. You guys are great! Thanks :-)
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2012 | 07:53 PM
  #2  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default

So... I'm answering my own thread here. lol. It was definitely the button. Took apart the hand controls and EEEEK! Gonna bring home my soldering tools from work tomorrow and knock it out. Whew!
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2012 | 08:38 PM
  #3  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,157
Likes: 51,519
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Those little buttons got abused pretty bad , wire in a starter relay before the solenoid if you don't have one , takes a lot of the load off that small switch .
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2012 | 08:51 PM
  #4  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default

Twisted Biker, You're awesome on this forum. Can always count on a thoughtful response from you, bud. Currently, I'm thinking about figuring out if I can throw a kicker on this ol' gal. After all, I'm pretty sure she should have one.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 07:07 AM
  #5  
carlgrover's Avatar
carlgrover
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,854
Likes: 2,495
From: Decatur, Alabama
Default

those starter buttons don't last long. I've replaced them several times. Knew a guy who got tired of his button so he just brought both wires out of the handlebar switch and would press them together to start his scooter. I wouldn't recommend doing that but it did work for him.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 07:28 AM
  #6  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default

Originally Posted by carlgrover
those starter buttons don't last long. I've replaced them several times. Knew a guy who got tired of his button so he just brought both wires out of the handlebar switch and would press them together to start his scooter. I wouldn't recommend doing that but it did work for him.
I'll solder it tonight and see how long that holds. lol. There are other options out there instead of having a start button. This guy is waiting for his next chunk of change to put into this ol bike. Whenever she has an issue, it's disappointing, but I knew this getting into the game and now it's an addiction. I love every bit of work and money I put it into it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 06:49 PM
  #7  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,157
Likes: 51,519
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Any kicker kit will work but I highly recommend picking up the Jims extended shaft assy. . It moves the kick arm out almost 3/4" more and solves all kinda clearance problems with pipes and extra's . Run that and a 1" longer arm on my beast and it's much better than the ones that come in those kits .
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2012 | 08:41 PM
  #8  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Any kicker kit will work but I highly recommend picking up the Jims extended shaft assy. . It moves the kick arm out almost 3/4" more and solves all kinda clearance problems with pipes and extra's . Run that and a 1" longer arm on my beast and it's much better than the ones that come in those kits .
Thanks for the recommendation. Found it for $75 bucks :-)
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 27, 2012 | 03:49 AM
  #9  
biginchhustler's Avatar
biginchhustler
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
Likes: 38
From: new orleans,la
Default

piece of wire with 2 alligator clips on it -emergency starter/jumper- and i have extra buttons for just this reason -- i have that lil battery powered soldering gun works great on tiny lil things like that push button switch..
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2012 | 07:36 AM
  #10  
En3may's Avatar
En3may
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Antigo, WI
Default

Originally Posted by biginchhustler
piece of wire with 2 alligator clips on it -emergency starter/jumper- and i have extra buttons for just this reason -- i have that lil battery powered soldering gun works great on tiny lil things like that push button switch..
I have to laugh...I've noticed that with each issue that arises on this bike, the saddle bag is growing a bit heavier with emergency tools and parts. I may need to hire a second rider with a bike just to carry my "just in case" supplies. lol. You're input is appreciated. Thanks :-)
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mercdwarf
Shovelhead
5
Sep 18, 2018 09:06 PM
oldmsocko
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
16
Oct 13, 2011 04:41 PM
o/d
Softail Models
10
Aug 14, 2011 01:09 PM
buellrider76
Dyna Glide Models
2
Jul 12, 2011 07:19 PM
Nostalgic07
Softail Models
13
Jun 19, 2011 09:43 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE