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Russian Concussion
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« on: March 09, 2009, 03:42:48 PM » |
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Hey everyone, long time no see. Posted this on the Tech Board as well but thought some of you may have good answers but never go to the Tech room...
Anyway, the bike sat on the lift since October as I was doing what needed to be done with it and taking my time as I only could wrench it an hour a week if I was lucky...
Things that were done:
1. Installed MarkT Trombones - took me a real long time, couldn't align them for a while
2. Replaced the air filter - disconnected, removed and drained the tank
3. Replaced the petcock with new parts (still have the old one which seems to be working but looks tired)
This past Sunday (yesterday) FINALLY put everything back together. Had to connect the petcock to the two lines, fuel and vacuum before bolting it onto the tank, couldn't figure how to do that otherwise. The connected the fuel sensor and the breather hose and bolted the tank back on. Filled it up to the top with gas. Key's in the ignition, switch it on and...
Bummer! The battery was dead. So I charged it overnight and for most of today and gave it a try again.
It turns over, cranks, all lights come on as usual - but no dice. I don't think I pinched any wires or hoses. The gas knob is set on ON and works correctly pointing to OFF and to RESERVE. I pushed the bike side to side, the gas swooshed about the tank... But it just won't start.
What could possibly be the issue? I know a lot of folks had this and each case is a bit different... Thanks in advance for all the good advice!
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« Last Edit: March 09, 2009, 03:46:15 PM by Russian Concussion »
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Probie (Scooter57)
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« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2009, 04:19:23 PM » |
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 "Hey Man, have ya checked the air in your tires man?" |
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2009, 04:21:44 PM » |
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1st thing I would do is see if it has spark at the plugs. 2nd thing would be to see if it actually getting gas to the cyclinders. If you can answer YES to those, I'd say you probably don't have enough spark to trip it trigger until ya let off the starter button. I'm also assuming you have the CHOKE FULL ON... Not just the little ways, all the way to where the choke lever is pointed straight at your belly.......... Got fire, and gas, it should run, IF the battery has a 100% charge................ Where or what state do you live in? If close by to me, I'm off Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon and Tues..... and could stop by and maybe hep ya out.    |
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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BigAlOfMD
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« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2009, 05:04:29 PM » |
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"Hey Man, have ya checked the air in your tires man?" "Hey man, I gotta take a dump man!" |
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Big IV
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« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2009, 05:08:04 PM » |
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Did you wiggle the kill switch on the handle bars? Sometimes it gets dirty and needs a good wiggle.
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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Russian Concussion
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« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2009, 07:43:43 PM » |
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RJ - Forgot to mention, I did replace all 6 plugs as well. How do I check the spark? The choke is full ON. Will be checking the lines and the fuel flow some time this week. I'm in MD, doubt you could swing by. Scooter - very funny.  BigAl - I was told you know a thing or two about these issues, I'm in MD as well (Silver Spring), do you have the time on Sundays? Thanks. |
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« Last Edit: March 09, 2009, 07:48:06 PM by Russian Concussion »
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Big IV
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« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2009, 07:59:39 PM » |
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easiest way to check spark is to grab a spare plug (old or new). Pull one of the plug wires. Insert the spare plug. Hold against a grounded part of the engine. Hit the switch and turn it over. watch for spark.
Repeat all the way around.
Each one should spark blueish but visible.
If that works all the way around then it means your wires are good. Then you have to decide if you cracked a plug, although it would most likely *IMHO* take several plugs to not give you any spin over.
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2009, 08:02:02 PM » |
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My Valk had to sit for a couple of months and then wouldn't start (the battery was good). My guru had me open the carb drain and spray contact cleaner in the fuel line till it ran out the drain hole. Repeat five times.
It worked like a charm.
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BigAlOfMD
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« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2009, 08:09:10 PM » |
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RJ - Forgot to mention, I did replace all 6 plugs as well. How do I check the spark? The choke is full ON. Will be checking the lines and the fuel flow some time this week. I'm in MD, doubt you could swing by. Scooter - very funny. BigAl - I was told you know a thing or two about these issues, I'm in MD as well (Silver Spring), do you have the time on Sundays? Thanks. I agree with Big IV, check the Kill switch to make sure it's toggled in the correct position. |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16590
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2009, 08:18:41 PM » |
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If the kill switch is the problem, the starter won't engage.
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Bonzo
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« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2009, 08:26:17 PM » |
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Jump start it with a running car, Sometime the recharged battrey just can't get it to crank. No gas full choke.
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Woops, I'm sorry.
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Russian Concussion
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« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2009, 09:17:22 PM » |
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Gents, the kill switch is in the on position. The battery is hooked up to a tender and is charged enough to start the engine. The engine cranks and turns over but doesn't start per se. Fuel?
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Whistler
Member
Posts: 1234
Kansas VRCC State Rep., Formerly known as EngEmt
North Newton, Kansas
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« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2009, 09:33:07 PM » |
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When it was cold my Valk would turn over but just not quite take off. I think my battery is weak if I hooked up a jump with a vehicle it would spin and start almost immedately. Might be worth a try to try and jump in. JDW
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2009, 09:53:49 PM » |
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When it was cold my Valk would turn over but just not quite take off. I think my battery is weak if I hooked up a jump with a vehicle it would spin and start almost immedately. Might be worth a try to try and jump in. JDW
I agree here with Engemt. BUT, when ya jump it off of another vehicle, especially an auto/truck or what have ya, DO NOT have that vehicle running. The starting system in the Valk takes a lot of juice and sometimes there isn't enough left to fire the engine. Once in awhile if the conditions are just right, when you release the starter button she will fire and run... That jump off of another battery adds that extra for her to fire.......... |
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44 Harley ServiCar |
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Russian Concussion
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« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2009, 09:20:47 AM » |
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Folks,
IT STARTED! Turns out the battery indeed WAS weak. Just hooked it up to my truck and POW! Checked the 6th carb as well and it was wet. So far so good. Gonna take it out for a quick 70+ mile spin. Love the sound of those MarkTs!
Thanks again for being so responsive and for all the good suggestions! Hope to see y'all in Colorado!
Toly
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Super Santa
Member
Posts: 1907
VRCC #27029
Houston, Texas
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« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2009, 11:42:18 AM » |
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Glad you got it going, Toly.
Enjoyed meeting you and your beautiful lady at Inzane. Hopefully, we will meet again in Colorado.
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Russian Concussion
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« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2009, 08:43:30 AM » |
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Ray - (is that you? The profile pic is not very clear.) Thanks! We'll see if we can make it there. Rose is battling cancer right now, and will hopefully be back to normal by then...
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