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I washed it

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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 02:42 PM
  #1  
Sheep's Avatar
Sheep
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Default I washed it

Finally. First timea week ago and then it wouldn't start. Yes. It would start prior to my washing it.

My other Harley's I'd just spraythem with S100 and hit it with the hose hard and then blow it dry.

This time I used hot water and a sponge. Then rinsed it off with just an open hose andblow dried it.

Hit the starter and it was like it wanted to start but wouldn't. Let go the starter and a light pop and some blue smoke out the air cleaner.

I rolled it out in the sun for a couple of hours and it started.

Any suggestions (other than not washing it again) to prevent the reoccurance? I'm aslightly worried about it stopping in a heavy rain while riding.

I may justtake it back to the dealer for warranty work if I can't find the problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 02:54 PM
  #2  
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cowboyglide
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Default RE: I washed it

ORIGINAL: Sheep

Finally. First timea week ago and then it wouldn't start. Yes. It would start prior to my washing it.

My other Harley's I'd just spraythem with S100 and hit it with the hose hard and then blow it dry.

This time I used hot water and a sponge. Then rinsed it off with just an open hose andblow dried it.

Hit the starter and it was like it wanted to start but wouldn't. Let go the starter and a light pop and some blue smoke out the air cleaner.

I rolled it out in the sun for a couple of hours and it started.

Any suggestions (other than not washing it again) to prevent the reoccurance? I'm aslightly worried about it stopping in a heavy rain while riding.

I may justtake it back to the dealer for warranty work if I can't find the problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.
I have an open 90 deg wimmer cloth filter on mine and have riden in numerous downpours for hundredes of miles at a time and have never had any problems. If you are still running the stock paper filter and air cleaner cover you just got some water in the filter when you washed it. The stock filters are not water proof and if you look at the bottom of your stock cover you will see it is open to let more air in. You can ride in the rain without any problems but I recommend getting a K&N filter.

 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:12 PM
  #3  
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CREEPSHOW
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From: Iowa
Default RE: I washed it

Hmm, I never had any problems? Maybe a little dielectricgrease around each end of the plug wires. Will protect against moisture and make removing the boots easier next time.
Knowing what AC you have would help too!
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:20 PM
  #4  
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NICK56
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From: NY NY
Default RE: I washed it

NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH WATER SOAP SPONGES ETC..
20 + YEARS MANY HOGS MANY YEARS..
SOMETHING ELSE IS THE PROBLEM!
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:29 PM
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jack49
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Default RE: I washed it

I place a plactic bag over the air cleaner before washing. Try it,if
nothing else it will eliminate one possibility.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:44 PM
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thall
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Default RE: I washed it

I never had that problem after washing any of my rides if it still wont start I would take it to dealer
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:59 PM
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Doug45601
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Default RE: I washed it

Although blow drying is good for large surfaces and actually blow water out of some cracks..... Well it also blows water into some cracks and pugs and connectors and junctions and sockets and in aircleaners... Forced air will blow moisture deep into an electrical socket that would otherwise somewhat repell water...

Riding in the rain should not cause any problems... Just be careful when blow drying cause you are moving water into cracks!
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 04:52 PM
  #8  
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big_al
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From: South Florida
Default RE: I washed it

I have never had an issue while washing it or rioding in hard rain for miles, have it checked out....
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 05:33 PM
  #9  
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Aslan
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From: New Hampshire
Default RE: I washed it

Washing and heavy rain have never put any of my bikes out of commission.
The blow drying and getting water into areas that it should not go sounds like a reasonable theory.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 05:44 PM
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quackhead
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From: Morton IL
Default RE: I washed it

the stealer gave me a free detail on the SG. when they were done, they had trouble starting it. then they brought it out front for me. i went out there to take off and it wouldnt start. it ended up being a short in the left hand controls. it took them awhile to figure out, but i was glad they found something. i'd have it checked out before you get stranded somewhere.
 
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