76 FXE Startup
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: NY
76 FXE Startup
Hello all, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I must say that I've learned a ton of information on shovels already from reading different threads. Thanks so much for taking your time to help out noobs such as myself.
My aunt recently passed down to me my late uncle's 76 FXE. He bought it in '78, and rode it from as early as I can remember, up till '89 or '90 when he broke his back at work. I think residual back problems among other issues kept him from ever getting back on the road.
Long story short, the bike has been parked in his garage ever since. I now have it in my kitchen (yeah my wife just LOVES that, but that's another story)
I stripped it down to clean off all the crud, replace gas tank, oil lines, swingarm bearings, & harness. I also isolated the primary, thanks to reading numerous threads on this forum. Although I'm good with wrenches, I'm not comfortable enough yet to crack into the engine/tranny, and I haven't yet found a local shovel mechanic to entrust with it.
My question is should I just fire the thing up to see what I have to deal with? I'm confident it ran when parked, but 23 yrs of sitting takes a toll I know. Of course I'll change fluids a couple times.
I'm installing a Dyna S ign, and will have an S&S E carb also.
I know the obvious answer would be to rebuild, but if I can put that off safely for another season, it'd be much easier financially. But I certainly don't want to damage anything by getting antsy to ride.
Any startup suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
RT
My aunt recently passed down to me my late uncle's 76 FXE. He bought it in '78, and rode it from as early as I can remember, up till '89 or '90 when he broke his back at work. I think residual back problems among other issues kept him from ever getting back on the road.
Long story short, the bike has been parked in his garage ever since. I now have it in my kitchen (yeah my wife just LOVES that, but that's another story)
I stripped it down to clean off all the crud, replace gas tank, oil lines, swingarm bearings, & harness. I also isolated the primary, thanks to reading numerous threads on this forum. Although I'm good with wrenches, I'm not comfortable enough yet to crack into the engine/tranny, and I haven't yet found a local shovel mechanic to entrust with it.
My question is should I just fire the thing up to see what I have to deal with? I'm confident it ran when parked, but 23 yrs of sitting takes a toll I know. Of course I'll change fluids a couple times.
I'm installing a Dyna S ign, and will have an S&S E carb also.
I know the obvious answer would be to rebuild, but if I can put that off safely for another season, it'd be much easier financially. But I certainly don't want to damage anything by getting antsy to ride.
Any startup suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
RT
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,175
From: Oxford, Nc
Welcome to the forum.
I'd shoot some Zep 45 or even W10-40 down through the spark plug holes and let it sit over night. Next day start rotating the motor over with the kick starter with the plugs out.
Fresh oil and new plugs and the Dyna S should give it plenty of spark to start it. Kick it through once or twice with the ignition off first. Then turn the ignition on and use the starter (if that still works,) or kick it through. (I wouldn't do this in your wife's kitchen btw...
)
I'd shoot some Zep 45 or even W10-40 down through the spark plug holes and let it sit over night. Next day start rotating the motor over with the kick starter with the plugs out.
Fresh oil and new plugs and the Dyna S should give it plenty of spark to start it. Kick it through once or twice with the ignition off first. Then turn the ignition on and use the starter (if that still works,) or kick it through. (I wouldn't do this in your wife's kitchen btw...
)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Biggest problem from sitting for so long will be that the seals will have dried out. if maintained properly it should start and run, but look for leaks at heads, base gaskets for starters. You said you isolated the primary which means you ended up pulling the clutch plates and cleaned both steel disks and fiber plates. Think at this point I wouls also replace fluids for front and rear brake system.
And as you will find out shovels are pretty simple technology.
78 was a changeover year for MoCo from points to electronic ignition. Do you know what yours has?
Lastly, buy and OEM shop and parts manual. They are the best investment you will make.
Final note…how about a couple of pics when you get the chance?
And as you will find out shovels are pretty simple technology.
78 was a changeover year for MoCo from points to electronic ignition. Do you know what yours has?
Lastly, buy and OEM shop and parts manual. They are the best investment you will make.
Final note…how about a couple of pics when you get the chance?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,463
Likes: 57,022
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
You'd be well advised to have a drain pan ready to place under the scooter. It will probably ( more than likely ) "puke" a bunch of oil out the breather because of the oil from the oil tank by-passing the check ball ... Not a big deal. Most of them do it. Run it for a bit. shut it off. Take a big deep breath. Wipe the $hit eating grin off your face, have a beer and enjoy your new scooter. Good Luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Welcome, make sure it is broken before you take it apart to fix it. Shovels can sit a long time and with a little work can run with no problem. Do what was suggested concerning removing the plugs and turning it over with some lubrication through the spark plug holes.
Mine started after 5 years on the 2nd kick.
Since you isolated the primary do not let the oil level drop in the chain case or you will fry the chain and tensor in just a couple of miles.
Mine started after 5 years on the 2nd kick.
Since you isolated the primary do not let the oil level drop in the chain case or you will fry the chain and tensor in just a couple of miles.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: NY
I haven't reached the point of being ready to fire it up yet. Till now I've just given it a thorough cleaning and prepping. I have a bunch of parts ordered which are due here in the next couple days. Once the swingarm bearings are in, I can put the rear end back together, mount the tank, lines, ign, etc.
at some point over the last cpl years, a family friend squirted some marvel mystery oil in the plug holes and worked the kicker several times. Since then I've also worked the kicker, and the compression feels real good.
I'll eventually check and/or rebuild/replace the calipers, shocks. There's a few months to go before riding season (I'm in NY), so I have a little time to tinker with it.
The bike has points now, but from what I've heard, elec ign is the way to go. The dyna seems a good fit. No, I don't think I'll be firing her up in the wife's kitchen.....it'd be a shame to die before ever riding the bike
Thanks again.
at some point over the last cpl years, a family friend squirted some marvel mystery oil in the plug holes and worked the kicker several times. Since then I've also worked the kicker, and the compression feels real good.
I'll eventually check and/or rebuild/replace the calipers, shocks. There's a few months to go before riding season (I'm in NY), so I have a little time to tinker with it.
The bike has points now, but from what I've heard, elec ign is the way to go. The dyna seems a good fit. No, I don't think I'll be firing her up in the wife's kitchen.....it'd be a shame to die before ever riding the bike
Thanks again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,175
From: Oxford, Nc
Neat thing about the Dyna S is that its actually just magnetic pickup, utilizing your advance weights and not really "electronic" as such, which is why I've always liked it's simplicity.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Both myself and a friend acquired 76 FXE's within a couple of months of each other in the late 70's. They both had one thing in common, the previous owners did not take them in for the recall of the rear brake caliper. I found out the hard way when the rear brake decided to lock up on the interstate by itself. The Harley shop installed another piston and had to replace the disc that warped from the heat. Hopefully yours was fixed.
I've always preferred points, cheap and easy to set. The carburetor that was first used on the 76 models was probably the best of the butterfly Kehiens. It was fully adjustable not like the later models that had a limiter and later a plug over the idle adjustment.
I've always preferred points, cheap and easy to set. The carburetor that was first used on the 76 models was probably the best of the butterfly Kehiens. It was fully adjustable not like the later models that had a limiter and later a plug over the idle adjustment.
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 Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: NY
Hmm, unfortunately I don't know what, if anything , my uncle ever did to this bike. The calipers on it are stock. Is there a rebuild kit to remedy the recalled issue? I may end up putting different ones on anyway, but that wouldn't be for awhile. I'm still torn between keeping it as stock as possible or going aftermarket in places.
Same with the points. I thought of just replacing them, but the majority of opinions I see on this forum lead me to the Dyna ign. I'm really just learning as I go, thanks to you folks.
I haven't yet looked into the carb. At the very least, I'll clean & rebuild the Keihin that's on it. But I've heard such good things about the super E, it's hard not to lean that way.
Same with the points. I thought of just replacing them, but the majority of opinions I see on this forum lead me to the Dyna ign. I'm really just learning as I go, thanks to you folks.
I haven't yet looked into the carb. At the very least, I'll clean & rebuild the Keihin that's on it. But I've heard such good things about the super E, it's hard not to lean that way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
a bike that has not been in service for quite a while has a way of draining your pocket and the end of things to fix seems never ending -
as was said DONT go looking to fix things that are not broken -
clean the carb // replace the O rings on the intake < good thing //// dyna ign < good thing < remove and clean the Petcock and WD 40 it so it moves easy /// new fuel lines all of them // Like was said oil pan at least able to hold 2 quarts or more under the bike at start up // DONT forget that --- drain and re fresh the trans oil with new // new set of plugs some gas fill the oil tank with ONLY 2 quarts of oil /// till it runs and see how much comes back to the tank after 5 min of run time, it is very possable it will be full after running it as the oil could be all in the engine -- good luck - johnjzjz
as was said DONT go looking to fix things that are not broken -
clean the carb // replace the O rings on the intake < good thing //// dyna ign < good thing < remove and clean the Petcock and WD 40 it so it moves easy /// new fuel lines all of them // Like was said oil pan at least able to hold 2 quarts or more under the bike at start up // DONT forget that --- drain and re fresh the trans oil with new // new set of plugs some gas fill the oil tank with ONLY 2 quarts of oil /// till it runs and see how much comes back to the tank after 5 min of run time, it is very possable it will be full after running it as the oil could be all in the engine -- good luck - johnjzjz