Where Shall we Meet for Coffee on Sunday?

[Kawyblaster]

Hello.  I have awoken from my Winter Den and hope to see you Sunday coffee... As well, this Sunday(April 10) is "Dubs inThe Barn" at Cloverdale Fairgrounds. A vintage air cooled VW show and Swap meet. Info on Facebook. 

[Twisted_Twin]

How about Porters then?

It's not far from Cloverdale so Don can attend his hippie van show after coffee.

[Kawyblaster]

Have Kaw will Travel.  Anywhere works. Peace and Love Dude!!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Porters is good for me, we haven't been there for ages and you can get a decent breakfast.

[Wheels]

Have to pass today have company over night but hoping to get the bikes out around noon and go for a spin somewhere.

[Twisted_Twin]

Harley wouldn't start? 

[Kawyblaster]

Van at VW show.

[Wheels]

Harley wouldn't start? 

As a matter of fact Shawn you are correct I am having a hard time with the starter button but didnt stop us from putting on 200 miles today on it.
Not sure if I am having a problem as a result of my short circuiting the bike a few weeks ago.     Starts find on occasion but all too often just click , click , click on the starter button then start.    Is that a solenoid or a relay that does that? I doubt it is the handlebar switch but others can chirp in.
Hitting the button would result in a click but after hitting it a couple times she would turn over and start immediatly.
Ended up down in La Conner today and great ride.  I will put some pics on the other post shortly

[Twisted_Twin]

Sounds like the starter solenoid is getting a burnt spot on the contacts.

You can probably just open it up and clean up the contacts with some scotchbrite pad and it will work good as new.

That's the only thing that ever goes wrong with Nippondenso starters and those are what all the muscle car and aftermarket HD high torque starters are. They're a ND gear reduction starter mounted to an adapter plate.

The motor hardly ever wears out but the contacts in the solenoid wear and the motor brushes wear.

[Kiwi_Roy]

The Guzzi guys have a name for that, "Startus Interuptus"
The starter solenoids have a double coil and draw over 40 Amps. Guzzi insist on feeding the start relay through the ignition switch which has too much resistance.
Test the starter by running a hot wire from the battery to the trigger terminal on the solenoid, if it works then it's not the starter.
Measure the Voltage at the trigger terminal, it should be at least 10 Volts while you have a finger on the button.

I know your starter is not a Bosch but if it has a large solenoid that slides the gear into mesh it could be the same problem.

PS. make sure the bike is in neutral first.

[Runningdog]

.....does the starter switch ground through the handlebar?

[Wheels]

Okay thanks for the info fellas I will follow up on the results and sure seems like the solenoid so will do what was suggested on the above posts and see what happens.    It is obviously something minor but very frustrating.

[Wheels]

Only had about 30 minutes time tonight so went with one of the suggestions above and ran a hot wire from the battery to the starter and she spins fine.  I also think that the fact that the handlebar button at least makes the solenoid click every time suggests it is likely breaking the circuit off and on. Sure looking like the solenoid but ran out of time.  Will pull the solenoid tomorrow and inspect.

John

[Kiwi_Roy]

Only had about 30 minutes time tonight so went with one of the suggestions above and ran a hot wire from the battery to the starter and she spins fine.

As I said if the starter operates when hot wired it's not the starter.
To supply the high inrush current (close to 40 Amps) the circuit has to be close to zero resistance.
I would start by pulling the ignition switch apart and cleaning the contacts, apply fresh Vaseline. Check all connections between battery and starter solenoid.


Here's an article I found
http://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-classic-models/845084-edited-adding-a-second-relay-to-fix-the-dreaded-click.html
I have never delved into a Harley starter but if they have a large solenoid that pulls the gear into mesh I'm willing to bet they have a double coil like the Bosch, Lucas and Valeos do

[Twisted_Twin]

Roy,

I think John was connecting to the starter terminal, not the solenoid feed from the ignition switch.

He got it all sorted in another thread.

Shawn