compression starting
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: lehigh valley
compression starting
So yesterday I left the ignition on at dinner.... Came out and my street glide wouldn't start. So I tried to push it, and even with the help of another guy it wouldn't start up. I tried in 1st and 2nd gear. Any tips in case my dumbass does it again?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Northern VA
Push started the 03 Fatboy many times when the battery was dying. Always used 2nd gear and it (almost) always worked. When the stator went out, the push start (and jump start for that matter) did not work.
Diggs
Diggs
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
The 103 TC's are a beast to "Roll Off" to start.
A little over a year ago, I pulled over one hot day to make a call. I pulled off the main country road, and went up a hill on a paved road to a shade at the top, turned around, and took care of business. Thought I would try a rolling start, as you mentioned. Second gear skidded the tire. I went to third, got up to about 20 - 25 mph, and it started right up when I eased the clutch out.
Overcoming the CP is a real biotch. Try it yourself, good to know.
That's when I decided to get this, just in case. Clip to the starter hot wire and a grounded bolt head, other end to a NOT running 12V vehicle, ride.
Folks not dealing with 103 TC's have other options, FWIW.
A little over a year ago, I pulled over one hot day to make a call. I pulled off the main country road, and went up a hill on a paved road to a shade at the top, turned around, and took care of business. Thought I would try a rolling start, as you mentioned. Second gear skidded the tire. I went to third, got up to about 20 - 25 mph, and it started right up when I eased the clutch out.
Overcoming the CP is a real biotch. Try it yourself, good to know.
That's when I decided to get this, just in case. Clip to the starter hot wire and a grounded bolt head, other end to a NOT running 12V vehicle, ride.
Folks not dealing with 103 TC's have other options, FWIW.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 353
From: Ohio
The the fuel pump, ACR's, and the ECM won't work with a dead battery. So I don't think push starting will work unless you can get it going fast enough to generate enough voltage to get all the electric stuff working. And even then I'm not sure it'll start.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
This!
If there is not enough juice left in the battery to run the fuel pump, the bike is not going to start.
A "low" battery that just doesn't have enough juice to crank the engine over but still has enough to power up the ECM and fuel pump can probably be push started.
If there is not enough juice left in the battery to run the fuel pump, the bike is not going to start.
A "low" battery that just doesn't have enough juice to crank the engine over but still has enough to power up the ECM and fuel pump can probably be push started.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Aside from the fuel pump/acr, 2nd gear via 1 manpower is just going to stop the bike like hitting a wall. Depending on the speed you get by pushing use a higher gear like 3 or 4, than if the engine starts turning over the stator may produce enough juice to activate the fuel/ecm.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 16
I had dead battery from the long winter rest but the lights still worked. I live on a two block long hill. I rolled to 10mph and popped the clutch. All I got was a long skid mark. The engine did not turn over at all. Went and got the jumpers cables. In the end, the five year old battery was dead (wouldn't hold a charge after five days).
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, La.
Those of you who have battery problems, believe what is posted about the fuel pump needing a certain amount of power to start. Turn on the key after waiting 10 minutes or so, if you can't hear the pump turning on, forget it. When trying to push start any vehicle with a standard transmisson it is far better to use at least third gear. Stay away from 1st or second as they are two low in gearing and will just stop what ever speed you are able to obtain. It's the same thing that happens when you are gearing down while approaching a tight curve or stop; each gear causes the bike to go slower. You need speed when push starting. It's better today to at least install a AGM glass mat battery which requires very little maintance and will not run down like the acid battery. I had one that sat for 6 months and then started the bike right away. They cost more but are worth it, they have a newer battery that cost around $300 but they last for years. Any acid battery will start losing charge with in a few days while idle and should be hooked up to a Battery Tender.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Not a good idea to boost a bike with a car/truck battery. Better to charge the bike with a charger.
Last edited by Nute; Jun 2, 2014 at 12:21 PM.