Bike haven't been started in 2months, started once with auto choke on then died when choke opened up...charged up the battery to no avail. I do hear the gas when I push the start button...some say starter fluid but looking at the air cleaner, what tool do I need to remove it...thanks in advance for any suggestions, I'm not a savvy mechanic by any means...

 

could just be bad gas. 2 months isn't a crazy long amount of time for stuff to go bad. I think stabl makes an additive you can add to old gas. If it starts with the chock on you can burn up the old gas if you put fresh in it or add the stuff to it. Might want to check the plugs too.

 

Lang, thx for the reply. I charge the battery again and cleaned the plugs, it fired up for a short time, died when choke closed..started one more time then won't start again. It appears that the battery is being drain maybe...while cranking and not firing up. also why is there not a off button for the headlights? It turns on automatically when starting up. Using battery power when lights not needed.
I'll pick up stabilizer and add it...I agree w/bad gas.

 

Sounds like you got a dead battery, its not holding charge, you can get it load tested to make sure.

If its an old battery and the bike doesn't get used a lot, unless you trickle charge it then that will kill a battery.

Fuel wouldn't go off that quickly I had my sportster off road for over six months and it fired up after a few hits on the starter.

Also when you start a motorcycle, and more so with Harley's don't just hold onto the start button, five seconds then off for 2 seconds and then 5 seconds on and repeat, you need to give the fuel a chance to cycle through. What also helps is to twist the throttle a couple of times before you start it.

 

Most of today's American gasoline is mixed with ethanol and has a very short shelf life. The OP being in California has some of the strictest fuel blends in the country and I would suspect even shorter shelf life then anywhere else.

 

Read his post again, the one above mine.

As for American Fuels maybe your right, the fuel laws in the UK are pretty strict, not sure how they stack up against American nor the Californian laws.

But still the first issue I think is his battery.

 

how old is the battery? Seems like batteries only last 2-3 years if they sit a lot an aren't on a trickle charger....you will easily double that if you keep it on a tender.

 

thanks guys for the responses, the battery is only 2yrs but the bike sits most of the time. didn't get a chance to take in for testing but will do so soon. Hope I don't have to buy a new battery again. thank you all for the tips, and recommendations, greatly appreciated.


One more question, Is it by design for the headlights to auto turn on when I turn the key On? Can't find off switch...


Have a great Week.

 

Yes the head light are stay on when ignition is turned on.

If you don't use your Harley much and it sits between usage, you may want to invest in a trickle charger to, please don't buy a cheap one.

Ideally you want one that can de-sulfate the batter.

https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/arti...n-go-away.html

 

Yes, the the headlight will stay on once the ignition key is turned all the way to the "run" position. There is no headlight "Off" switch.

If you notice, there is also a first "On" position for the ignition/Run switch. In that position, the headlight will be Off, but brake lights will operate and some other electrical circuits.