Hey guys,

First post so thank you all in advance.

I have a 1993 HD Sportster 883 that won’t start. I have replaced: battery, battery cables, starter, starter relay, spark plugs, all fluids, cleaned the carb. All it does is click. When I pulled the primary cover off, I saw that the starter is engaging but it won’t turn over. When I pull a spark plug, it will fire up. It seems like it is something to do with compression but I have no ideas.

I have run out of ideas and need some help!

 

It turns over okay with the plugs out ? Try turning the key on, put it in fourth and roll down a hill and pop the clutch. A stock 883 shouldn't be that hard to turn over.

 

I’ve been avoiding that because my driveway is a hill in itself. I’m going to have to get a friend to help me get it up the hill. I’ll give it a shot though.

 

Using a digital voltmeter, what is the battery voltage with the ignition ON but not started, measured to the 1/10 of a volt?

 

When you say it will "fire up" when you pull a sparkplug, do you mean it will turn over?

 

Starter relay?

John

 

Jump the starter solenoid or catch it in gear.

 

What is the dc voltage across the battery?
With ignition off.
With ignition and run switch on.
When you press the start button.

 

Welp... I checked the battery and it was only charging to 10v. Replaced the battery and it fired right up... It’s running rich (a lot of black smoke) and the throttle is lagging but it’s running. This has been a project bike so getting it running is huge! I did buy a nicer battery with a higher cca. Now to dial it in.

Thanks again guys!

 

Good job on getting it running and letting us know.