another 103" hardstarting update
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 671
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
Could also just be "heat sink" with that big motor.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
After reading this I have to say that if fuel is going into the cylinder and has to dissipate before the engine will start there is something wrong with an injector leaking. This would mean over time all the gas that would end up in the cyl at every shutdown would eventually wash out the cyl walls and gunk up the valves, shortening the life of the motor.
When the cel cycles before start up the hi psi fuel supply system to the injector is energized, then when the engine starts and there is a load or demand for fuel the injector gives fuel to the cyl.
I have a 103 with 10.25:1 with a shaved head w/o releases and I have been in the desert and in the snow over 12k feet and starts first time every time.
I have read many threads here on this and Im beginning to think some of your guys builders may have bored the cyl ever so a bit on the tighter tolerance side and the piston may be dragging when hot. There are different clearances when using forged vs cast pistons because of the expansion characteristics.
When the cel cycles before start up the hi psi fuel supply system to the injector is energized, then when the engine starts and there is a load or demand for fuel the injector gives fuel to the cyl.
I have a 103 with 10.25:1 with a shaved head w/o releases and I have been in the desert and in the snow over 12k feet and starts first time every time.
I have read many threads here on this and Im beginning to think some of your guys builders may have bored the cyl ever so a bit on the tighter tolerance side and the piston may be dragging when hot. There are different clearances when using forged vs cast pistons because of the expansion characteristics.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 671
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
What I was trying to say is that the injector doesn't give a big enough squirt when you turn on the key.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I really dont think the fuel is an issue but Im leaning towards the piston dragging when hot though.
I see youre in BC, A bunch of us are riding up there in Sept. Hows the weather around then? I also heard yesterday, you have to make a reservation to get on the ferry in PA, do you know if thats true?
I see youre in BC, A bunch of us are riding up there in Sept. Hows the weather around then? I also heard yesterday, you have to make a reservation to get on the ferry in PA, do you know if thats true?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 671
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
Sept. is usually great. I think the Port Angeles ferry only runs twice a day to Vancouver Island. Don't know about reservations but If you are coming to the Island there is two government ferries where bikes go to the front of the line. No resevations needed. Northern B.C. will be chilling down.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
What you are saying is very logical and it is along the lines I was thinking for the last 12,000 miles. I rode another 200 miles yesterday and started the bike a total of 9 times in various conditions. It started very easy when I hit the starter as soon as I turned the ignition switch on.
This tells me it HAS to be a fuel issue. A piston dragging, or the motor being tight anywhere or even a timing issue would not be cured by this.
My tuner's dyno was being worked on yesterday. I will get the bike over there whenever I can and after he adjusts the fuel tables, I will post the results.
Dennis
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Until I get my bike back to my tuner to have the cranking fuel increased, I am hitting the starter immediatly after turning the ignition switch on. It is working very well. I rode another 100 miles or so with several stops. This seems to be my hard start issue.
Dennis
Dennis
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 671
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
Shouldn't have to wait as injectors "should" still be pressurized without turning on the pump. You are supposed to release the pressure before disconnecting fuel line. I have noticed though, that after my bike has sat for a day or two the pressure does eventually bleed off by itself.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
My starter had a very hard life in the first 12,000 miles I rode the bike. Even though I have the hard starting issue resolved now, my starter crapped out last weekend.
I took it to the dealer to get the starter replaced under warranty. I asked them if there was any chance I could upgrade to the 1.4 kw heavy duty starter. They said they would try, but I would probably have to pay the difference in cost. The black finish heavy duty starter is about $50 more and the chrome finish is about $150 more. I decided to pay for the diffence and get the upgrade.
The 1.4 kw starter is so much stronger there is no comparison to the stock starter. My motor spins with ease now. I even tried starting it once while it was hot without using the compression releases and it started very easily.
I know it would be hard for most of us to spend $450 on a starter if you are getting by with the stock one, but if you have a warranty replacement, I would highly recommend upgrading to the 1.4 kw starter.
Dennis
I took it to the dealer to get the starter replaced under warranty. I asked them if there was any chance I could upgrade to the 1.4 kw heavy duty starter. They said they would try, but I would probably have to pay the difference in cost. The black finish heavy duty starter is about $50 more and the chrome finish is about $150 more. I decided to pay for the diffence and get the upgrade.
The 1.4 kw starter is so much stronger there is no comparison to the stock starter. My motor spins with ease now. I even tried starting it once while it was hot without using the compression releases and it started very easily.
I know it would be hard for most of us to spend $450 on a starter if you are getting by with the stock one, but if you have a warranty replacement, I would highly recommend upgrading to the 1.4 kw starter.
Dennis