Yeah, a couple weeks ago I was moanin' about getting crappy gas millage on my RoadKingPolice. 33mpg was Not acceptable. well, yesterday I rode 141 miles with some friends cruising around NorthEast Ok, and filled up when I got back. 3.12 gals. WTH! I didn't do anything different 'cept use 91 octane and ride. I'll take that, Thanks.
but as Murphys Law would dictate, NOW my starter button works only when it wants to. and nearly left me stranded down at Twin Bridges yesterday. I got a bad feeling about this.

 

I get about the same mileage around town. Get in the 40's cruising on my RKC. I have the stage 2 95 kit in it. Does it seem like its the button or something deeper?

 

Had my starter doing the same thing to me on my last trip. Got so bad that I was using my battery tender connection to jump start the bike when I was stopping for gas. Got home replaced the starter relay and knock on wood no problem since than. Not sure if the Road King has the same setup.

 

the starter system is quite basic and easy to diagnose problems.

if interested you could do a search, I and others have posted basic starter system function and diagnosis.

as the rider above pointed out, you can use 12+ power from the tender wire to the terminal on the solenoid ( where the green wire connects) to bypass the starter button, relay and associated wiring- even a paper clip would work if you didn't have a short piece of wire.

so a little smarts can keep you from being stranded roadside.

to use the tender wire to 'jumpstart" from another vehicle is not a good idea, the fuse could blow, the wire could melt, or a you could damage the charging system if the battery has failed

mileage: out on a limb here, but here is a possibility:
If you were using a lower octane fuel than rated, the ECM may have been retarding ignition timing to control pinging.
Retarded timing leads to poor fuel economy across the board.
filling up with proper octane ( 91) allows the ECM to advance timing for better economy and under many conditions better power
the biggest variable for MPG day to day, same vehicle is the right wrist

mike

 

System management relay Went on my 08 SG . Found out starter,brake relays are the same you can switch them around as needed. Numbers need not match,found this out at dealer from parts man.

 

Those darn fumes from that cheap 91 octane gets starter switches all the time. Harley should have put the switch on the other side.

 

hell, I just thought maybe the cobs just needed blown out on a long ride, but it may be the gas. I always buy high octane, but this was from a station I rarely go to, maybe it was fresher or something. I just hope it continues. I like 45+ mpg. any day.
fwiw, It's a new bike to me,('10) and being a police bike, they say they get alot of time just sitting ideling. Great maintence on them however.
I have searchd the forums and there is indeed alot of starter button posts. I would have thought with so many folks having problems with 'um, there would be some kind of recall or something. :^/

 

the rider interface is the button- if the button is pressed and nothing happens...it could be a number of things beside the button itself.

often the owner has changed bars- probably the #1 cause of "it don't work".

when the motor stops it ALWAYS stops on the compression stroke.

if the rider 'flicks" the starter button, the motor will either turn past top dead center, or rebound from the compression.
either way the motor is able to build a little momentum before hitting compression again when the starter is applied for the 2nd time.

this is a good practice on a V twin, esp if there are no compression releases.

pretty much the same starter systm has been in use since the early 80's- i gotta bunch of old high mileage bikes and the starter keeps on working, although once in a while they need a rebuild.

the starter relays are rated for 100,000 cycles- i have yet to have go bad on my bike(s) but have seen it on others.
any auto parts store will have a $12 replacement, the nippon denso is a nice unit, that what i use for add on lighting etc.

mike

 

There are many variables that can affect fuel mileage. I'd watch it for a few tankfuls before jumping to any conclusions. Mine has varied from very low 30s to almost 50 mpg on cross-country trips.

 

the starter grounds by being bolted tight to the trans check that the starter mounting bolts are tight some time if they are a littlelose the starter will work sometime and not sometimes