Yellow, Green, Red light on tachometer upon start up.

[Postmaster]

Had a real nice ride from Los Angeles to Morro Bay. 2007 Bulldog ran great. Spent the night in a hotel and attempted to start the bike in the morning to go to breakfast. The engine started to turn over and backfired with the tachometer displaying Yellow, Green and Red lights that I have never seen before. Attempted numerous times with no start. I let it sit for a few minutes and on the next attempt it started right up. I immediately decided to cut the strip short and return home rather than risk the ride to San Francisco. The bike ran great home and even started normally when I stopped to get gas about 100 miles from Los Angeles. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? Also upon start up, the starter hesitates then turns the motor over. What could be the reason for the hesitation from the starter? Thanks for all of your help and ideas.

 

[mjsk9]

Battery?

Not sure from your post if after the backfire, did it shut down or was the engine running? If it was running, and the idle fell below 900 RPM, all LED's will flash..... From the Owner's Manual....

 

[knothead]

Sometimes low voltage will cause the lights to do that....some cases the tach will not come on because of the low voltage when its starts and the next time it starts everything works correctly....but you could have a low voltage issue upon start up....but it also could be the decompressions release arent working causing it to slowly turn over in the beginning when you hit the starter button..its either voltage or decompressions releases or possibly both....check your battery voltage and also check to see if you can hear your decompressions click upon start up

 

[Postmaster]

I think I can eliminate the low voltage issue as I have checked it and it registers 13.0 volts before start up. If it is faulty compression release valves, is that something I better leave to my mechanic to deal with? How much do you think it would cost to fix? In any case, thanks to mjsk9 and knotthead for your expertise. Much appreciated.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

I think I can eliminate the low voltage issue as I have checked it and it registers 13.0 volts before start up. If it is faulty compression release valves, is that something I better leave to my mechanic to deal with? How much do you think it would cost to fix? In any case, thanks to mjsk9 and knotthead for your expertise. Much appreciated.

You may have a bad connection on the battery or the starter. Also, if the battery is old it may lack the amps required to turn the engine. You can have it load tested. To check the release valves pull the solenoid wire off the starter( green) and press the start button. It will help you hear them click momentarily. If you put your finger on them you can feel it also.