Push Start
Banned
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 300
Likes: 166
From: New Hampshire
Worked on my old BMW twins. Bings and then Del'Ortos for carbs, Dyna III ignition mods.
Hope to H3LL I don't have to attempt on the HD!
Haul out the batt tender and let 'er cook, if you saved the old one. You might coax some life back into it. I keep a spare (replaced my truck batt) on hand for jumping, just in case.
Hope to H3LL I don't have to attempt on the HD!
Haul out the batt tender and let 'er cook, if you saved the old one. You might coax some life back into it. I keep a spare (replaced my truck batt) on hand for jumping, just in case.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 41
From: north jersey
A few years ago my starter relay failed after getting gas
On flat ground I ran along side of bike kicked it into 2nd gear and dumped clutch as I jumped on it.
It fired right up.
Once home I thought Id try it again. This time I was on a downhill and I couldn't get it to fire.
think technique, traction, valve position and a good amount of luck is required
On flat ground I ran along side of bike kicked it into 2nd gear and dumped clutch as I jumped on it.
It fired right up.
Once home I thought Id try it again. This time I was on a downhill and I couldn't get it to fire.
think technique, traction, valve position and a good amount of luck is required
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
Likes: 7,118
From: Beyond Fucital
The time it happened to me,
I keep mine on a tender as I dont get to ride often.
Went for a ride, 60+ miles out We stopped for a break, got ready to leave and no start.
The voltage regulator was only putting out 8 volts. I dont know how long it was bad, using the tender hid the fact the VR was bad.
We tried to push start it on flat ground, couldnt get the speed for it to catch.
Then I remembered I had a jump pack in the swing arm bag. I hadnt charged it for a year and a half. But it had held the charge and fired the bike right off.
I keep mine on a tender as I dont get to ride often.
Went for a ride, 60+ miles out We stopped for a break, got ready to leave and no start.
The voltage regulator was only putting out 8 volts. I dont know how long it was bad, using the tender hid the fact the VR was bad.
We tried to push start it on flat ground, couldnt get the speed for it to catch.
Then I remembered I had a jump pack in the swing arm bag. I hadnt charged it for a year and a half. But it had held the charge and fired the bike right off.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,067
Likes: 1,121
From:
This may be a rhetorical question although Ive never seen a post about it. I grew up riding bikes that could be push started......BSA, Triumph. Now Im on my first Harley, a 2000 FLSTC. Several weeks ago I left the ignition on and killed the battery. My first inclination was get on and roll down the driveway and pop the clutch.....that didnt go well. Ive taken steps that doesnt bite me again.....new battery and lithium power booster.
Just for my information, can these big Harleys be started from a roll
Just for my information, can these big Harleys be started from a roll
If the bike was fully functional and all systems were operational just prior to no start situation then maybe it could be push started.
If the bike is EFI (fuel injected) then you need enough electrical power in battery to activate fuel pump and to light-up computer.
So in a low voltage situation...maybe when it is an EFI bike.
I have participated in pushing a carb bike...they have started...not fun as some individuals do not understand clutch control..
On a side note.
I have rescued several folks with a home made set of jumper cables that i made with trolling motor clamps and stranded cable...
Jump cables roll up really small but requires a few minutes in order to introduce a float charge into weak battery when my bike was clamped to their bike.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
You would need to define what "killed the battery" means to you.
If the bike was fully functional and all systems were operational just prior to no start situation then maybe it could be push started.
If the bike is EFI (fuel injected) then you need enough electrical power in battery to activate fuel pump and to light-up computer.
So in a low voltage situation...maybe when it is an EFI bike.
I have participated in pushing a carb bike...they have started...not fun as some individuals do not understand clutch control..
On a side note.
I have rescued several folks with a home made set of jumper cables that i made with trolling motor clamps and stranded cable...
Jump cables roll up really small but requires a few minutes in order to introduce a float charge into weak battery when my bike was clamped to their bike.
If the bike was fully functional and all systems were operational just prior to no start situation then maybe it could be push started.
If the bike is EFI (fuel injected) then you need enough electrical power in battery to activate fuel pump and to light-up computer.
So in a low voltage situation...maybe when it is an EFI bike.
I have participated in pushing a carb bike...they have started...not fun as some individuals do not understand clutch control..
On a side note.
I have rescued several folks with a home made set of jumper cables that i made with trolling motor clamps and stranded cable...
Jump cables roll up really small but requires a few minutes in order to introduce a float charge into weak battery when my bike was clamped to their bike.
Ill let you know if that was the issue....my guess is the weak battery cranking a high compression motor.
Also equipped the saddle bags with a 1000A lithium boost jump starter. At 73 my running alongside the bike are over.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
I've push started Reaper numerous times over the years, while she was in her starter clutch eating phase. 
As long as I could get her rolling fast enough (sometimes, I needed help) ,she would fire up every time. Never tried with a dead battery though.
Cheers!
As long as I could get her rolling fast enough (sometimes, I needed help) ,she would fire up every time. Never tried with a dead battery though.Cheers!
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