Starting procedure for a 1980 flh
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Seattle area
Do you have the separate "choke" on the carb like an S&S? If you're flooding it, don't choke it. If you think it's flooded, crank the throttle wide open while you crank the engine. This will clear out the gas and lean the mixture back out.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
So to clear the flooding, twist the throttle open slowly. In a bike of that age there are many things that may have got old that can cause problems. I suggest you post again in the Shovelhead forum. See if those guys can help!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
On my factory stock '84 I would just pull the choke all the way and when it started push the choke in about half way till it started warming up. You may well have a worn out float valve (needle) in the carb that needs to be replaced. Easy job and cheap part.
Good luck,
John
Good luck,
John
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Have owned a 79 and a 81 shovel in the past. One other thing you might check is if you have flooded it several times as it seems you have, change plugs. Plugs can look good have correct gap ect. but flooding can saturate the porceline and make it hard to start. They can even look dry. That has been my experience.
Nate
Nate
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena,MD
Sounds like an S&S carb with an enrichner which is not the same as a choke and can flood the motor if not used correctly. My procedure for this carb is to open petcock, turn mtr over a few times, twist throttle about 4-5 times, lift enrichner approximately halfway up and push start. Repeat as needed and close enrichener when idle ready.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
I've run Keihin, Bendix, S&S and SU on my shovels. I almost always avoid the choke when starting. Shovels tend to flood easily, at least mine. If it is flooded, you can try to start it with the throttle wide open and the petcock off. Once it starts, open the petcock. If it's flooded you do not need the choke, it already has too much fuel for the air. I have a kicker, so if I flood, I shut off the fuel and ignition, open the throttle wide open and kick it through four or five times. Turn on the fuel, don't touch the throttle, turn on the ignition and it will fire off next kick. If you have a Keihin, start with one twist of the throttle, see if that's enough to prime, work up from there if needed. It's all about figuring out which carb you have and how they dump fuel, whether it's by throttle pump or enrichener.
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Stage III
Joined: Nov 2009
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Reply to starting problem
Thanks for all the help on starting my bike started much easier with just the choke out no throttle.
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