Won’t start.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Won’t start.
Had a heart attack and the bike has been on the stand, not started over a year in Oct. On battery tender, fuel additives and when I hit the starter, nothing. Put a volt meter on the battery and it shows good. Never had a problem with this bike in 22 years. Maintained perfectly. I have manual start button on the starter, and when I push it in, still nothing. Help!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 4,437
From: Texas
Do you hear the starter click at all?
If no, then there's a definite cranking amp issue. I understand it's on a tender, but that isn't a cure all.
If yes, could maybe be the battery. Or could be slightly 'seized' enough to prevent turning over, so try rocking the bike forward and backward in gear to get things moving, then try cranking again.
If yes, could maybe be the battery. Or could be slightly 'seized' enough to prevent turning over, so try rocking the bike forward and backward in gear to get things moving, then try cranking again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
Probably just needs a new battery, 15 months even on a tender is a long time. Do you know how old the battery is? If 3 years or more it is the likely problem if the bike worked as it should before you incident. Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,770
Likes: 1,803
From: Newnan, GA
Is the kill switch on? Use a meter and check your batter, should be at 12.5-12.75VDC. Try to start the bike while the meter is still connected, Should not drop below 9 VDC.
Check the battery connectors and cables for corrosion and make sure the connectors are tight.
Also check the starter cable at the starter and make sure it shows 12.5-12.75VDC.
While checking the above you'll find your issue.
If the above checks out then you may have an ignition switch issue.
Check the battery connectors and cables for corrosion and make sure the connectors are tight.
Also check the starter cable at the starter and make sure it shows 12.5-12.75VDC.
While checking the above you'll find your issue.
If the above checks out then you may have an ignition switch issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,456
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
Dead battery as said. If you really want to be sure, you could put a jump pack on it.
Makes sure kill switch is not on, just for heck of it. Make sure any interlocks for starting for year are unhappy. Like being in gear, if your bike has that interlock. Even if parked in neutral could have gotten bumped.
Makes sure kill switch is not on, just for heck of it. Make sure any interlocks for starting for year are unhappy. Like being in gear, if your bike has that interlock. Even if parked in neutral could have gotten bumped.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 953
From: Sarasota Florida
I have had batteries show green on a tender and be bad. A new battery would answer the question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
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From: Long Island, New York
You can put the worst battery on a tender for 24-48 hours, the light will go green. Buy a new battery and go enjoy a well deserved ride, good luck.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 463
From: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
Yep, Battery. Take it to an auto parts store for testing. Then leave it with them to recycle when they tell you it's no good. When you tested it was it on or off the tender? If you tested on the tender you were probably picking up the tender's voltage.
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