Engine Has Not Started in Some Time
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 27
From: Northern Part of the Great Lone Star State
Engine Has Not Started in Some Time
I have a friend who hasn't rode in Harley in quite some time...He's not sure exactly how long but he's leaning towards 1.5 to 2 yrs the bike has not been started up...
We had discussed this at work periodically and has asked me what I thought should be done before he fired up the bike and I had no idea what to tell him, so I suggested I would ask you guys to get your thoughts on what he should consider doing if its not to extreme like tearing mtr. apart and rebuild...
So any thoughts in guiding would be appreciated on this matter to pass along to get him hopefully back on the road...
One more thing to add was that he was very **** about keeping his fluids changed in all three holes, but according to him his battery had lost the connection to his trickle charger and battery had drained...hopefully battery can be charged but he's not having any luck charging with his home charger...
Thanks for any help you can shine on this topic...
Paul
We had discussed this at work periodically and has asked me what I thought should be done before he fired up the bike and I had no idea what to tell him, so I suggested I would ask you guys to get your thoughts on what he should consider doing if its not to extreme like tearing mtr. apart and rebuild...
So any thoughts in guiding would be appreciated on this matter to pass along to get him hopefully back on the road...
One more thing to add was that he was very **** about keeping his fluids changed in all three holes, but according to him his battery had lost the connection to his trickle charger and battery had drained...hopefully battery can be charged but he's not having any luck charging with his home charger...
Thanks for any help you can shine on this topic...
Paul
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 2,056
From: Phoenix
Probably going to need a new battery,
. I'd drain the gas and add new with some fuel injection/carburetor cleaner added.
Unhook plug wires and turn the motor over with the starter until the oil light shuts off.
Hook back up the plug wires, say a little prayer to the biker gods, and hit the starter button.
I'm sure she'll fire up. Air up the tires, check the oil, go for a ride.
. I'd drain the gas and add new with some fuel injection/carburetor cleaner added.
Unhook plug wires and turn the motor over with the starter until the oil light shuts off.
Hook back up the plug wires, say a little prayer to the biker gods, and hit the starter button.
I'm sure she'll fire up. Air up the tires, check the oil, go for a ride.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 27
From: Northern Part of the Great Lone Star State
Thanks Guys
We had hoped it would be just that simple
Wasn't sure about the liners in the bores retaining oils was a concern we had talked about
It's an FLHTCUI with EFI
Paul
We had hoped it would be just that simple
Wasn't sure about the liners in the bores retaining oils was a concern we had talked about
It's an FLHTCUI with EFI
Paul
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
As long as the spark plugs stayed in it, it the cylinder walls should be fine. I would check the oil, add some sea foam to the tank in case there is any condensation, hook up a new battery and try to start it. If it starts only let run a minute or so and then shut it off and check the oil level. If everything checks fine, brakes and lights work, ride it around the block a few times to get it warmed up and change the oil in all three holes and add fresh gas till full. Then don't let it sit so long next time.
I know there are a thousand different ways to do this but, I buy and rebuild bikes and if there isn't any obvious things wrong with it, I do this all the time and never had an issue. But this is the internet and as always this is just my .02.
I know there are a thousand different ways to do this but, I buy and rebuild bikes and if there isn't any obvious things wrong with it, I do this all the time and never had an issue. But this is the internet and as always this is just my .02.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
My brother in law had his eye on an old '45 police bike that had been in this old guys barn for literally decades. He was a cop so every once in while he'd stop by and ask the old guy if he wanted to sell it. One year he said yes. He pulled off the pigeon poop covered tarp and put it in his trailer and took it home. It started with very little work. Fresh gas, checked the oil, etc. I about had a coronary when he said he didn't even pull the plugs and try to turn the motor by hand first! Gotta love those Harley's.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 766
From: MS
Probably going to need a new battery,
. I'd drain the gas and add new with some fuel injection/carburetor cleaner added.
Unhook plug wires and turn the motor over with the starter until the oil light shuts off.
Hook back up the plug wires, say a little prayer to the biker gods, and hit the starter button.
I'm sure she'll fire up. Air up the tires, check the oil, go for a ride.
. I'd drain the gas and add new with some fuel injection/carburetor cleaner added.
Unhook plug wires and turn the motor over with the starter until the oil light shuts off.
Hook back up the plug wires, say a little prayer to the biker gods, and hit the starter button.
I'm sure she'll fire up. Air up the tires, check the oil, go for a ride.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,112
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
OP check the air in the tires, the oil level, make sure the brakes work, slap a battery in it and go. Don't overthink this, hasn't sat near long enough.
