Bike won't start

[DynoDave]

Have 2002 Mastiff with 107" S&S.
Haven't been riding much lately but start the bike every week or so.
Usually starts on first crank.
Battery is new, cranks over fine.
Pulled air cleaner, getting gas when throttle is turned.
Pulled plugs, getting spark.
No lights on the EHC.
Red light on Thunderheart ignition working.
Bike doesn't fire when attempting to start.
Any ideas?

 

[DynoDave]

Bump

 

[DynoDave]

Any suggestions out there, Big Dog brethren?

 

[Ron]

I had that issue on my husky. In my case it was ignition switch. It started by during a ride it acted like it was running out of gas. I'd turn key off then on to get it to run fine. Then one day. It was done

 

[liferider]

You have spark, you have fuel, bike should crank. Remove one and bike does not! Check your spark again. Remove spark plug and ground it on cooling fins and turn the motor over to check for spark plug ignition. Also and don't laugh. Did you turn on your fuel!

 

[DynoDave]

Thanks. Removed both plugs (and replaced with new ones), grounded both on cooling fins. Both getting spark. Yep, fuel was on and have fuel in the tank!

 

[Th3InfamousI]

If you got spark it's a fuel problem. Take your air cleaner off and twist the throttle see if you see fuel squirting out

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

 

[Brew]

Might have water in the fuel...

 

[DynoDave]

If you got spark it's a fuel problem. Take your air cleaner off and twist the throttle see if you see fuel squirting out

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

Yep, did that, fuel squirting with a twist of throttle.
That's what's weird...getting spark and fuel but it won't fire.

 

[Brew]

Try draining your fuel bowl and how old is the fuel?

 

[DynoDave]

I had that issue on my husky. In my case it was ignition switch. It started by during a ride it acted like it was running out of gas. I'd turn key off then on to get it to run fine. Then one day. It was done

Thanks. I put in a new BDM ignition switch a couple of years ago. Have a Ford tractor switch (recommended on this forum) that I will try. Mine acted like it was running out of gas recently.

 

[DynoDave]

Try draining your fuel bowl and how old is the fuel?

Fuel is about 6 months old. I know that gas today with ethanol tends to go bad fairly quickly (the reason they don't use it in planes).
I'll try some fresh juice!

 

[Matheny 514]

As long as you have spark then it's not an ignition issue therefore it must be a fuel or a mechanical issue. Make sure you have compression, which you should if nothing has happened to it while sitting. As far as fuel goes, make sure you are using new fuel and ensure that you see fuel pumping as you twist the throttle and not flooding the engine. Make sure air flow is not obstructed in any way. If this does not work I would suggest looking into the idle circuit of the carb. Possibly pulling the bowl to see if anything has obstructed the idle circuit.

 

[Brew]

Fuel is about 6 months old. I know that gas today with ethanol tends to go bad fairly quickly (the reason they don't use it in planes).
I'll try some fresh juice!

Yeah get better gas!

 

[Hirter6Pack]

That's what I'm thinking, bad gas.

 

[DynoDave]

Might have water in the fuel...

Possible, but I live in Tucson (it's a dry heat!) and bike is kept in the garage.

 

[Brew]

Condensation escapes no-one. Water intrusion at the pumps is also possible...

 

[DynoDave]

That's what I'm thinking, bad gas.

I do have some bad gas....but that was from the beer I drank last night!!!

 

[DynoDave]

As long as you have spark then it's not an ignition issue therefore it must be a fuel or a mechanical issue. Make sure you have compression, which you should if nothing has happened to it while sitting. As far as fuel goes, make sure you are using new fuel and ensure that you see fuel pumping as you twist the throttle and not flooding the engine. Make sure air flow is not obstructed in any way. If this does not work I would suggest looking into the idle circuit of the carb. Possibly pulling the bowl to see if anything has obstructed the idle circuit.

Thanks, good suggestions.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

If you have a can of starting fluid try a squirt in the carb and see if it fires up. If it does then I'd take off the fuel line and carb and clean both real good.