how to bump start a valkyrie?

[KCvalk]

just read this on a thread

how do you bump start a valk  never had to do this on a bike but should learn just in case i get the starter button sickness...

what is the proper and safe way to do this.....

[Grandpot]

Bump start:

1. Put the bike in a high gear (3, 4, or 5).
2. Kickstand up.
3. Kill switch in Run position.
4. Ignition key On.
5. Pull in the clutch and have someone push the bike (make sure you are on it).
6. When you get up some speed, release the clutch.  Pull the clutch in as soon as the engine starts and work the throttle until the engine runs smooth.

[Anthony]

ignition key on, fuel open, steering lock open, ...

put in neutral, pull clutch lever,  stand with bike between your legs,
get some speed (it's easier on a downhill, or if you have somebody pushing you  ) : walking speed is enough.

throw it in 2nd gear and release clutch ; she should come alive immediately.
pull clutch in, put helmet on, ...

get home and check starter button, or do that now already 
Anthony

[Warlock]

just read this on a thread

how do you bump start a valk  never had to do this on a bike but should learn just in case i get the starter button sickness...

what is the proper and safe way to do this.....

Another way is to put the bike in neutral take your right side cover off and find the wire coming from the starter. It will connect to the starter switch. Turn your key on and take a flat head screw driver and make contact between the starter wire and the hot wire. Just like the old Ford starter switch. It will crank and get you home.
David

[Warlock]

ignition key on, fuel open, steering lock open, ...

put in neutral, pull clutch lever,  stand with bike between your legs,
get some speed (it's easier on a downhill, or if you have somebody pushing you  ) : walking speed is enough.

throw it in 2nd gear and release clutch ; she should come alive immediately.
pull clutch in, put helmet on, ...

get home and check starter button, or do that now already 
Anthony

PS forgot to mention you can go to a auto store and pick up a starter button and wire it into the wires I was talking about using the screwdriver on.
David

[Brad]

I left the key on once.  I live at the top of a very long hill.  Rode her all the way to the bottom of the hill trying to start her.  She would not do it with a totally dead battery.  Had to walk back up the hill, get the car and cables, jump start her, ride her home and then walk back and get the car.  Did not make the right choice that day.   

[R J]

I left the key on once.  I live at the top of a very long hill.  Rode her all the way to the bottom of the hill trying to start her.  She would not do it with a totally dead battery.  Had to walk back up the hill, get the car and cables, jump start her, ride her home and then walk back and get the car.  Did not make the right choice that day.   

You have to have juice in da battery to get her to fire.   
Ya run the battery down & it will need to be jumped, 
NOTE,,,   vehicle you are jumping from,
DO NOT HAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING.

[Rocketman]

Yeah, the deader the battery is, the harder it is to start.  It will go if it's low on juice, but will take more speed and more tries.  If it's completely out of juice, no amount of speed or tries will do the trick.
If it's the starter button, the bypass is a good method, but if it's a dead(ish) battery, a bump (push) start is the way to go.
Higher gears will reduce the required speed.  However, it's easier to push the bike in nuetral, jump on, pull the clutch, then pop 'er into second.  (I do it on my own, and have to hop on while it's moving.  More dangerous, and requires more coordination, but it's what's required sometimes).  Anyway, if you're pushing it while it's in gear, the risk is that you could accidentally drop the clutch, and the sudden stop will cause you to drop 'er, or worse, you have enough speed, and it takes off on you before you're in the saddle.

Push starting ~800 pounds of Valkyrie is not what anyone would call easy (unless you live on a hill, and the battery isn't very dead), but it can be done.

[SPOFF]

Had to walk back up the hill, get the car and cables...

You didn't push the Valk back up the hill? Wuss!   

[Larry]

Anyway, if you're pushing it while it's in gear, the risk is that you could accidentally drop the clutch, and the sudden stop will cause you to drop 'er, or worse, you have enough speed, and it takes off on you before you're in the saddle.

Question, is the taking off without you on it how got your handle? 

[Brad]

You didn't push the Valk back up the hill? Wuss!   

Hell I was going to carry it up the hill but had my helmet in my hand 

[Rocketman]

Anyway, if you're pushing it while it's in gear, the risk is that you could accidentally drop the clutch, and the sudden stop will cause you to drop 'er, or worse, you have enough speed, and it takes off on you before you're in the saddle.

Question, is the taking off without you on it how got your handle? 

I'll never tell.
(:

[SgtBunny]

While I was home in June I ran up to Lowe's for some quick little items.  When I came out she was dead as a doornail.  I had a heck of a time starting her and ended up getting a jump.  When I got home found out that while she sat for 4 months corrosion had killed the connection.  A quick hit with the brass brush and all was good for me...wish I could have bumped her that day.

When your riding a nice looking bike and she is dead I found that my face turned a new shade of fire engine red.

[Spirited-6]

Higher gears will reduce the required speed.  However, it's easier to push the bike in nuetral, jump on, pull the clutch, then pop 'er into second.  (I do it on my own, and have to hop on while it's moving.  More dangerous, and requires more coordination, but it's what's required sometimes).  Anyway, if you're pushing it while it's in gear, the risk is that you could accidentally drop the clutch, and the sudden stop will cause you to drop 'er, or worse, you have enough speed, and it takes off on you before you're in the saddle.
QUOTE '

You are a LOT better size than most to do this. I could bump start my 305 Super Hawk, after that forget it. If I could push start my Valk. I would not be 74 Yrs. old. I do well to "duck walk" my Tourer around the garage.  

[Rocketman]

Higher gears will reduce the required speed.  However, it's easier to push the bike in neutral, jump on, pull the clutch, then pop 'er into second.  (I do it on my own, and have to hop on while it's moving. 
QUOTE '

You are a LOT better size than most to do this. I could bump start my 305 Super Hawk, after that forget it. If I could push start my Valk. I would not be 74 Yrs. old. I do well to "duck walk" my Tourer around the garage. 

I will admit to having a good amount of mass to assist in the pushing.  I will also admit to being a bit worn out after pushing it too far.
I preferred to bump start my old Suzuki GS.  Still ~550 lbs, but a lot better than the Valkyrie.  I apparently liked bump starting that one so much, I think I bump started it more than I used the starter.

[fnsmoak]

Having only 32" inseam, I've found it much easier to remove the seat, then push the valk while straddling to get speed.  That few extra inches makes for a much easier workout, and much quicker manual acceleration.

A near-EOL battery will succumb to extreme cold mornings and play dead.  I had to push several mornings on one of SmokinJoe's PegDragginIceScrappin' Rides a few years back.

Ride Safe

[Rocketman]

Having only 32" inseam, I've found it much easier to remove the seat, then push the valk while straddling to get speed.  That few extra inches makes for a much easier workout, and much quicker manual acceleration.

OK, now you have me curious.  I can see how it's easier to push with no seat, but when you actually drop the clutch, are you standing on the pegs, or are you sitting on the fender/frame/battery?  Doesn't sound real good either way.

[mikeb]

you all are doing it wrong i go get the wife and then have her push me all the time yelling faster faster!! when we get to the top of the hill i ll turn around and have her push me down the hill again yelling faster faster then pop the clutch in 2nd gear and off i ride 

[Rocketman]

you all are doing it wrong i go get the wife and then have her push me all the time yelling faster faster!! when we get to the top of the hill i ll turn around and have her push me down the hill again yelling faster faster then pop the clutch in 2nd gear and off i ride 

The risk then is that it doesn't actually start, and you can't get away...