74 Superglide Won't Start
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette, LA
SeaZund.. I think you may be confusing the pics. The first set of pics are of panz4ever's bike. The latter set of pics are of mine. I just took ownership of it yesterday and now I'm trying to figure out why it won't start. Learning about the bike as I go.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette, LA
Looks like 548 miles. That's on the new motor. The bike was a basket case when he got it so it's been completely redone. The motor is not the original. It's new.
Found the circuit breakers. Checked all the wires for looseness. All good. The plugs and wires are new as well. They appear to be in perfect shape. Also checked output of the coil, before the wires. No spark there either. Got to be something with this ignition system. Here's what I found under the timing cover.
Also, here's the coil and circuit breakers.
Found the circuit breakers. Checked all the wires for looseness. All good. The plugs and wires are new as well. They appear to be in perfect shape. Also checked output of the coil, before the wires. No spark there either. Got to be something with this ignition system. Here's what I found under the timing cover.
Also, here's the coil and circuit breakers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
you need a test light -
ground the one end and the sharp point is what you need to trace the system -
once grounded place it the point on the top circut braker with no key on, the right side top one is the main see if it has power both sides should be red wires if yes turn the key on - place the point on the coil white wires they should have power - flip the on off switch on the handlebar right side above the starter button while holding it on the white wires it should go on and off respectively - if not check the main is it still hot both sides of the top circut braker wait a minuet then cheak again you could have a short and it will take a bit to re set -- if its doing any of this report back - need to know what you have from this point foward --
in re looking at this i see the dyna ignition has a rub on the wire harness, debris in the bottom of the cam cover tells me it may be your issue look at this and see if the wires are bare in that location
ground the one end and the sharp point is what you need to trace the system -
once grounded place it the point on the top circut braker with no key on, the right side top one is the main see if it has power both sides should be red wires if yes turn the key on - place the point on the coil white wires they should have power - flip the on off switch on the handlebar right side above the starter button while holding it on the white wires it should go on and off respectively - if not check the main is it still hot both sides of the top circut braker wait a minuet then cheak again you could have a short and it will take a bit to re set -- if its doing any of this report back - need to know what you have from this point foward --
in re looking at this i see the dyna ignition has a rub on the wire harness, debris in the bottom of the cam cover tells me it may be your issue look at this and see if the wires are bare in that location
Last edited by johnjzjz; Sep 1, 2014 at 12:54 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,172
From: Oxford, Nc
One of the issues with the Dyna "S" magnetic ignition systems was running a 5 ohm coil rather than a 3 ohm coil. The 3 ohm will fire hotter but the 5 ohm tend to last longer. The coil could still be the culprit.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette, LA
So you guys are gonna kill me but I got it going.. And it was something simple. John said something that made me think of it. The run switch on the handlebar! SHM! That's why there was no voltage at the coil.. Turned the switch on and voila! Got voltage. After that it fired right up! My uncle forgot about that when he showed me how to start it. No wonder he couldn't get it going. And I didn't even give it a second thought about there being a handlebar switch on those old bikes.
Good thing I did all the other stuff first though because with a stuck float in the carb it wouldn't have run for long. Or with that old nasty green gas.
So I got it warmed up, tuned the carb a little and it runs like a champ now! And it sounds awesome! Took it out for a ride this afternoon. It was lotsa fun in a nostalgic kinda way but it really makes me appreciate my deluxe!
I'll post some pics tomorrow once it's all shined up and maybe a short video. Thanks for all the help!!
Good thing I did all the other stuff first though because with a stuck float in the carb it wouldn't have run for long. Or with that old nasty green gas.
So I got it warmed up, tuned the carb a little and it runs like a champ now! And it sounds awesome! Took it out for a ride this afternoon. It was lotsa fun in a nostalgic kinda way but it really makes me appreciate my deluxe!
I'll post some pics tomorrow once it's all shined up and maybe a short video. Thanks for all the help!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
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: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette, LA
Well that would have made more sense! I still occasionally forget to flip the run switch on my 08 and the starter doesn't start. That triggers an immediate "DOH" and I flip the switch.