My new to me 2000 Heritage Springer has a high compression engine in which you have to push a button every time in order to start it. This is not the original engine. It is a pain to have to remember to turn on the gas, pull out the choke and push the compression release. I thought that if I immediately push the compression release right after shutting down the engine, that it would be one less thing I have to do. Can the compression release button be pressed even if I would not be riding for several hours or days? Thx

 

Yes they can.

 

Actually, the procedure you are suggesting, you will still have to push the compression release either at engine start up or engine shut down. So it's not really one less thing to do....


I believe the mechanical compression release valves won't close until the engine is rotated.... So in theory, you should be able to push them when you shut it off...

Since you need to develop a new habit either at start-up or shut down... why not just do it when you start the bike....??? That way you will know, without a doubt, that they are engaged and ready to start the engine....

I don't see any advantage to doing it on shut down... If for whatever reason they should close before starting, you won't know until you crank it over, and put extra stress on your starter, which is why you have a compression release to begin with...

I rode several motorcycles with carbs, for many years... I developed the habit of opening the fuel tank petcock on engine start up... and shutting it off, just prior to engine shut down... it became an unconscious habit... I didn't even think about it... If I had a compression release, adding them to my routine would have been very easy...

When I bought my first EFI Harley in 2003, I can't tell you how many times I reached for that non-existent petcock during engine starts and stops.... Even once I was able to "lose" that habit, for a couple years, if I was distracted during engine start or stop, I would still occasionally reach for the non-existent fuel petcock....

I don't mean for this to sound as harsh.... but if turning on the fuel, pulling the choke, and pushing the compression release at engine start up is overwhelming to you... Maybe a motorcycle with a carb and compression release isn't right for you.. ??

Trade it for an EFI bike with electronic compression release (or no release)... then you won't have to deal with the choke, the petcock, or the compression release....

 

disregard already answered.....

 

Open the petcock,
Pull out the choke,
Push down the release ,
First World Problems!

 

I guess I am just used to having my 2006 Heritage Classic with efi. I did ride my Springer this past week. From Red Bluff, Ca., to Beaumont, Ca. About 616 miles altogether. I had no problem remembering to hit the button to release the compression pressure. I also did not forget to shut off the gas at each extended stop and to pull out the choke. With my Heritage Classic, I merely hit start and I would go. No big deal. I now have the Springer and the Classic in my garage.