hello all- i have a 74flh. it has a crane hi4 and s&s super e with 50wgt dino in the crankcase. i have a hard time getting her started (kick only). looking for any suggestions on a start proceedure. the timing is set correctly, but the engine seems to start better with the module set to 'electric' as opposed to kick. runs great once started. would like to get it done in 3 or 4 kicks instead of 20.
any help is appreciated.
-leapingknome

 

The electric start mode on the HI4 is so the motor rolls over 3 times before the ignition turns on. This takes stress off of the starter motor and allows the motor to get a "running start". The kick start setting gets you fire on the first kick.
Your issues on hard start up is probably due to carb adjustment issues, that is, if the timing is truely set correctly. Did you time it on the front AND rear cylinder?
Check your enrichner and accelarator pump settings, along with your low speed idle settings. If you have the lever behind the backplate, insure that it is raising the enrichner all the way up.

 

drop to 30weight in cold, check your condenser. Kick it a few times before turning on the ignition to get things flowing especially oil. Cold Start ups kill HP engines

 

He's running a HI 4. It doesn't have a condensor.

 

Give this a try: 2 prime kicks with Ign. off.Turn Ign. on,give 2-3 squirts,more if temp is below 60 -(6-7).Pull enrichment/fast idle lever all the way up.With throttle closed,kick until it fires.....If you turn throttle when enrichment/fast idle is on,it more less bypasses this feature and you will be kicking more than you need to.

 

my mistake

 

ignition is set up per instructions. it is supposed to be timed to the front cylinder. it does kick back on me at times, which can be hard on my 60yr old knees. i don't want to weenie out and install electric start.
-leapingknome

 

With the crane you can set it to multi-spark. I found my ride started quicker in that mode.

Working the choke, and twisting the throttle a few times to pump some fresh gas into the carb before turning it over always gets me a quick start.

 

It should be timed to the front and rear. There is a dashpot on the face that says rear culture advance. Hook your light up on the rear cylinder and make the adjustment using the rear cylinder advance dial. It will help.