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Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:34 AM
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My 01 1200 Custom will not fire up. I have not had much time to dive into it, but I have pulled the a/c cover, cleaned it, shot in starting fluid replaced, removed spark plugs cleaned, replaced... Checked pet **** (yes it is a carb), and battery is charged ready to rock. I can not get it to pop. I will be playing with it some tomorrow and would like any suggestions to try and look for.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

TIA
 
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:38 AM
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Check battery cables and ground for tightness. Check for corrosion as well on the battery cables and the battery itself.

Drew
 
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by DR. V-TWIN
Check battery cables and ground for tightness. Check for corrosion as well on the battery cables and the battery itself.

Drew
I knew I forgot to put that up there... The battery is right there easy to see and work with, check the cables and all is good there too...
 
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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It could be any number of things. We need more info: Do you have the run switch in the on position? Is the engine turning over & just not firing, or is it just clicking when you hit the start button & the lights go out? Is fuel squirting into the carb throat when you twist the throttle? Is there spark at the plugs?
 
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by WVHogRider
It could be any number of things. We need more info: Do you have the run switch in the on position? Is the engine turning over & just not firing, or is it just clicking when you hit the start button & the lights go out? Is fuel squirting into the carb throat when you twist the throttle? Is there spark at the plugs?
Run Switch on.. Yes... Engine turning over.. Yes. Full power, full battery, no issues with battery or power. Fuel squirting into carb.. Yes... Spark and plugs... One thing I did not check, but will tomorrow...
 
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Old May 11, 2011 | 06:48 AM
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Finally got a chance to do some further checking on the bike. I got no spark after removing the plugs and grounding them. I also got no spark from just the wire. So, is my next step to replace the wires, or the coil? New voltage regulator went in last summer. New plugs will be going in, just cause they are cheap and are probably needed anyhow.
 
Last edited by sammer4u; May 11, 2011 at 06:49 AM. Reason: Typos
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Old May 11, 2011 | 08:04 AM
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Now check all connections from/to coil for on a meter to see where the lack of spark is it. It may be as simple as the 90* connections on the coil are not as tight as they need to be, and they need a good squeeze & re-installed. Or the coil could be shot. Just got to start checking with a meter.
 
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Old May 15, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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Okay now I am stumped and stuck. I removed the ignition coil checked it out and I could not get a reading on the secondary connections(spark plug wire connection point). I bought new coil, new plug wires (for the heck of it) and new plugs (for the heck of it) installed new parts and still nothing. Not fireing up. I get it to turn over, and all... just will not ignite. It is getting gas and all that, battery is still strong, checked the battery connections (actually disconnected cables and re-installed them for coil removal).

Now i do not know where to turn. Voltage regulator was replaced last summer, new coil, new spark plugs and wires, what next???

Thanks for the assistance, and the suggestions you may have.

Getting Frustrated!
 
Last edited by sammer4u; May 16, 2011 at 06:15 AM. Reason: additional info
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Old May 17, 2011 | 06:18 AM
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Did you check your speedo for any TDC's? There's a sticky under the DIY thread on how to check for the codes and what the codes might be.
 
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Old May 17, 2011 | 06:28 AM
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Maybe check all vacuum hoses for leaks. Maybe check the VOES (vacuum switch)
 
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