Ok I know it's my fault,
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Trinity, NC
Ok I know it's my fault,
I know I know. I shouldn't have bought it but I wanted it, I still love it but now I'm stuck fixing it. This dang 87 Softail I bought has a 96 engine in it. The transmission and primary have all been changed from factory as well. Ordinarily not a problem but I didn't do the work so I'm a little intimidated. Anyway, to the problem...
When it's cold out, this dang thing just will not start. It spins over but if I give it any, and I do mean any, fuel or choke it almost quits turning. Other than that and some rather irritating decel popping the bike runs great. Once the bike warms up it starts just fine. Oh and I have no idea what all has been to it. It's got aftermarket A/C and pipes for sure. Thanks in advance guys.
When it's cold out, this dang thing just will not start. It spins over but if I give it any, and I do mean any, fuel or choke it almost quits turning. Other than that and some rather irritating decel popping the bike runs great. Once the bike warms up it starts just fine. Oh and I have no idea what all has been to it. It's got aftermarket A/C and pipes for sure. Thanks in advance guys.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
Is it fuel injected or carbed? If it's carbed are you pulling the enrichner (choke)?
Sounds way too lean to start.
Get a cheap can of starting fluid and give it a little shot. Does that help it start? That would confirm lean.
Sounds way too lean to start.
Get a cheap can of starting fluid and give it a little shot. Does that help it start? That would confirm lean.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
A 96 engine is most likely an S&S......
Pretty bullet proof and a great amount of power...
Don't take this wrong way.....All carbed engines have their own quirks about starting.....Once you figure out this one, I'll bet you'll be pretty happy about that engine.
Pretty bullet proof and a great amount of power...
Don't take this wrong way.....All carbed engines have their own quirks about starting.....Once you figure out this one, I'll bet you'll be pretty happy about that engine.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Trinity, NC
I haven't load tested the battery and that very well could be it because it does seem to help if I hook the charger to it and then crank it but it still seems hesitant.
Most definitely a carbed engine. If it was fuel injected I wouldn't even work on it. I'm not really sure if the engine is S&S or not. I didn't know S&S made engines for Harley. The bike has plenty of power and runs strong. I am very happy with the bike, engine included. I just wish I knew why it is so hard to start when cold.
Most definitely a carbed engine. If it was fuel injected I wouldn't even work on it. I'm not really sure if the engine is S&S or not. I didn't know S&S made engines for Harley. The bike has plenty of power and runs strong. I am very happy with the bike, engine included. I just wish I knew why it is so hard to start when cold.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
I haven't load tested the battery and that very well could be it because it does seem to help if I hook the charger to it and then crank it but it still seems hesitant.
Most definitely a carbed engine. If it was fuel injected I wouldn't even work on it. I'm not really sure if the engine is S&S or not. I didn't know S&S made engines for Harley. The bike has plenty of power and runs strong. I am very happy with the bike, engine included. I just wish I knew why it is so hard to start when cold.
Most definitely a carbed engine. If it was fuel injected I wouldn't even work on it. I'm not really sure if the engine is S&S or not. I didn't know S&S made engines for Harley. The bike has plenty of power and runs strong. I am very happy with the bike, engine included. I just wish I knew why it is so hard to start when cold.
Next pull out the enrichener (choke) ****. I'm not sure all carbs are the same, but on mine I think there is a brass piece that comes down and closes off a good portion of the barrel. On a car it would be a butterfly flap that would close. You should see something close it up.
With these two things done, hit the starter and see if it starts easier.
When it is cold you need to increase the amount of fuel to air ratio. The enrichener should do that. I say give it that extra squirt to see if a little more fuel helps.
The carb might not be adjusted or jetted right. It may be running a bit lean and the colder weather exaggerates the problem. I say that it is a cold mix issue cause you say that it runs good warm.
My 1999 carbed bike kicks and bucks like crazy in the winter, here in Michigan. Once it warms up, it runs like a scared rabbit.
Keep us posted.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Trinity, NC
Okay. Take off the air filter so you can see into the barrel of the carb. Give the throttle a twist WHILE looking into the carb. Do you see a squirt of gas going into the carb? Make sure you release the throttle. You don't want to leave the butterfly open.
Next pull out the enrichener (choke) ****. I'm not sure all carbs are the same, but on mine I think there is a brass piece that comes down and closes off a good portion of the barrel. On a car it would be a butterfly flap that would close. You should see something close it up.
With these two things done, hit the starter and see if it starts easier.
When it is cold you need to increase the amount of fuel to air ratio. The enrichener should do that. I say give it that extra squirt to see if a little more fuel helps.
The carb might not be adjusted or jetted right. It may be running a bit lean and the colder weather exaggerates the problem. I say that it is a cold mix issue cause you say that it runs good warm.
My 1999 carbed bike kicks and bucks like crazy in the winter, here in Michigan. Once it warms up, it runs like a scared rabbit.
Keep us posted.
Next pull out the enrichener (choke) ****. I'm not sure all carbs are the same, but on mine I think there is a brass piece that comes down and closes off a good portion of the barrel. On a car it would be a butterfly flap that would close. You should see something close it up.
With these two things done, hit the starter and see if it starts easier.
When it is cold you need to increase the amount of fuel to air ratio. The enrichener should do that. I say give it that extra squirt to see if a little more fuel helps.
The carb might not be adjusted or jetted right. It may be running a bit lean and the colder weather exaggerates the problem. I say that it is a cold mix issue cause you say that it runs good warm.
My 1999 carbed bike kicks and bucks like crazy in the winter, here in Michigan. Once it warms up, it runs like a scared rabbit.
Keep us posted.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
Ok I must be confusing people with my explanation. My bike spins over slower if I give it ANY fuel. If I pull the enrichener it spins slower, if I twist the gas it spins slower. I mean a lot slower. It almost doesn't turn over at all. My Sportster was carbed and both my metrics were carbed. All my dirtbikes were carbed but I have never seen one that did this. If I richen the mix it should be easier to start not harder.
"When it's cold out, this dang thing just will not start. It spins over but if I give it any, and I do mean any, fuel or choke it almost quits turning. Other than that and some rather irritating decel popping the bike runs great. Once the bike warms up it starts just fine"
What you are really saying sounds illogical so my brain didn't go there.
I believe you, but that is too strange.
Seems impossible that choking the carb could slow down the cranking speed.
Load test the battery.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Arlington, TX
It sounds like your current battery doesn't have the cold cranking amps for the motor, who knows the compression ratio and was there head work done, etc; Does it have compression releases? When you add fuel it doesn't vaporize as easily in cold weather causing a combustion issue and the need for a battery that can crank that monster over. Stupid question but I assume you arn't using Ethanol but a 92 octane gas?