Harley Question

[HB Vic]

I have seriously neglected my bike. 2008 RK Classic. I think its a 1594cc or so, fuel injected. It has literally been sitting for nine months and has not been started for at least 7. The battery is completely dead. And I'm sure the fuel is bad as well. I called the dealer and they didn't tell me what I wanted to hear. Not sure what goes in to a FI flush, but with that and all fluids and belts they want an arm and two legs to attempt to get it running again. They also said something about replacing the tires. If it were a car I'd have no problem risking it, but I'm not so sure I'd risk it on a bike.

What say you Harley or V twin biker types?? Risk it or spend some serious dough?

[rivergames]

Not saying what you should do, but what I would do...

1) Drain gas and throw new gas in there
2) pull spark plug an put a little oil in there to lube the rings
3) start that focker up and run her. Its only been a few months

[ChumpChange]

Get a new battery(let me know the model number) and do what Games said above.

[Paul65K]

Get a new battery(let me know the model number) and do what Games said above.

Completely agree with both these guys.......I have let my bike sit sometimes for up to 6 months (not often) over the last 11 years and didn't really even go this far, just topped off the gas and ran the fuck out of it.....never had a problem.....the new Harleys are pretty stout!!

[HB Vic]

I guess I'm not normal lol
I refuse to run bad or old gas in my shit. Replacing the gas is easy, but the possibility of deeper issues by running bad gas concerns me.

[rivergames]

I guess I'm not normal lol
I refuse to run bad or old gas in my shit. Replacing the gas is easy, but the possibility of deeper issues by running bad gas concerns me.

You can piss in the old gas and she'll still run :thumbsUp:

[jordy]

Not saying what you should do, but what I would do...

1) Drain gas and throw new gas in there
2) pull spark plug an put a little oil in there to lube the rings
3) start that focker up and run her. Its only been a few months

Which spark plug would you pull? The front or back? :smilies_mit_hut019:

The fuel injection systems on the newer Harleys are rather finicky, not like the old carbed models that would damn near run diesel fuel. There's a screen in the pump unit in the tank, but you have to pull the tank apart to get to it. If it gets gummed up, you're screwed and broke down on the side of the road somewhere. With all the additives and nonsense they put in the fuel these days, it breaks down in pretty short order, especially with Summer heat.


Get a new battery(let me know the model number) and do what Games said above.

With a Road King, you're not running all the extras that we bagger types are, but Harleys are pretty temperamental with something other than a Harley battery. Mine had an aftermarket one in it when I bought it and I had a slew of random electrical problems and finally took it to the dealer to diagnose. They promptly swapped the battery out and put a factory battery in, (like $180 for the fucking battery) but all the problems went away and I've not had an issue since then. If I hadn't experienced it on my own I would say throw a battery in and be done. It works for the most part with the older carbed bikes, but I wouldn't screw around and burn something up on the newer ones.


I guess I'm not normal lol
I refuse to run bad or old gas in my shit. Replacing the gas is easy, but the possibility of deeper issues by running bad gas concerns me.

There you go. Having the system flushed out isn't a bad plan, even after only 8 months. As you said, in a car it would be different but on a bike you don't have the luxury of a cage to protect you. I just got done running through mine and I ride it all the time. I pulled it down, repacked the neck bearings, replaced all the wheel bearings, tires, engine, transmission, and primary oil, and put a wrench on every nut and bolt on the bike. I ride on average 1,000 miles per month and it's much easier to spend the money and do preventative work than it is to have something fail on you and put you on the side of the road, or off the road in a ditch, or worse.

I wouldn't risk it, but that's just me. Having a bike is like having a helicopter, all you need is the Jesus nut to fail and you're fucked. :thumbsUp:

[rivergames]

Which spark plug would you pull? The front or back? :smilies_mit_hut019:

The fuel injection systems on the newer Harleys are rather finicky, not like the old carbed models that would damn near run diesel fuel. There's a screen in the pump unit in the tank, but you have to pull the tank apart to get to it. If it gets gummed up, you're screwed and broke down on the side of the road somewhere. With all the additives and nonsense they put in the fuel these days, it breaks down in pretty short order, especially with Summer heat.


Ha very true. I was thinking about my carbed bike in lieu of the the Fuel injected deals

[HB Vic]

Thanks Jordy. Jesus nut, classic. But I think about that shit when I ride. At 80 (or whatever) on the freeway something goes bad and bad things will happen. The engine isn't that big a deal, it dies it dies. But something lets loose and it could be bad. I had a belt go on my Softail years ago. For 3 seconds I was all over the street. Belt ripped the side mounted tail light off and it hit me in the back. Two people pulled over and asked if I was ok. Scared the shit out of me. Eight months might not seem like a long time. But it hasn't been out of the garage in that time. Hasn't been rolled or started. Hasn't been touched.

[jordy]

Thanks Jordy. Jesus nut, classic. But I think about that shit when I ride. At 80 (or whatever) on the freeway something goes bad and bad things will happen. The engine isn't that big a deal, it dies it dies. But something lets loose and it could be bad. I had a belt go on my Softail years ago. For 3 seconds I was all over the street. Belt ripped the side mounted tail light off and it hit me in the back. Two people pulled over and asked if I was ok. Scared the shit out of me. Eight months might not seem like a long time. But it hasn't been out of the garage in that time. Hasn't been rolled or started. Hasn't been touched.

The engine dying isn't a big deal unless you're going down the road and it does it suddenly and you end up in bad shape before you can pull the clutch in and you grease your back tire and start sliding around before you can react. If it was me I'd spend the money and have it all gone though.

[HB Vic]

The engine dying isn't a big deal unless you're going down the road and it does it suddenly and you end up in bad shape before you can pull the clutch in and you grease your back tire and start sliding around before you can react. If it was me I'd spend the money and have it all gone though.

Totally agree. Now to convince the inconvincible LOL

[HolyMoly]

Have you tried Viagra? I'm assuming we aren't actually talking about your "Harley".

[jordy]

Have you tried Viagra? I'm assuming we aren't actually talking about your "Harley".

Are you suggesting it's some short of euphemism? :detective:

[HB Vic]

Have you tried Viagra? I'm assuming we aren't actually talking about your "Harley".

Are you saying I speak in code?? :D

[2manymustangs]

Charge it and RUN the biotch... If it fails, get a new pump and injectors, I will be out in late DEC to put it together and WRING that biooootch out for you... :action-smiley-047:

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48715

48716

^^^ My son that is NOW 20 yrs old... :)

[2manymustangs]

I was totally kiding about trying to run it, could be a total disaster if you do that...

U had better buck up and pay the man or your bike will never be the same... Throwing a new carb on like my old putts is one thing, but a new FI bike is a different story COMPLETELY...

I hope nobody took me serious on my post to try and fire it... :(

[HB Vic]

I was totally kiding about trying to run it, could be a total disaster if you do that...

U had better buck up and pay the man or your bike will never be the same... Throwing a new carb on like my old putts is one thing, but a new FI bike is a different story COMPLETELY...

I hope nobody took me serious on my post to try and fire it... :(

Well it is Friday and I assumed you might have started hitting the Fireball since its a little later over your way LOL

[2manymustangs]

Well it is Friday and I assumed you might have started hitting the Fireball since its a little later over your way LOL

:wink2: Im reformed... ONLY American Honey WT for me... On Friday afternoons... ;)

[HB Vic]

:wink2: Im reformed... ONLY American Honey WT for me... On Friday afternoons... ;)

Oh no!! say it isn't so :D

[jordy]

48716

^^^ My son that is NOW 20 yrs old... :)

Who's the 4 eyed dork leaning on someone's bike while holding him? Bikers will hit someone with glasses and a baby for that kind of behavior. :biggrin:

[AZKC]

I bring this product up alot when old gas is talked about.... And no I don't sell it :grad:

http://www.priproducts.com/consumer_products.cfm

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZKK0TG9HL._SY300_.jpg

[Paul65K]

I was totally kiding about trying to run it, could be a total disaster if you do that...

U had better buck up and pay the man or your bike will never be the same... Throwing a new carb on like my old putts is one thing, but a new FI bike is a different story COMPLETELY...

I hope nobody took me serious on my post to try and fire it... :(


Well it is Friday and I assumed you might have started hitting the Fireball since its a little later over your way LOL
I wasn't kidding.....throw a can of SeaFoam in that prick, top off the gas and drive it 50 miles....then top it off again.......run it like you stole and you'll be fine.....should run as good as your DCB when you're through.........oh wait a minute, on second thought................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FnpaWQJO0&list=FLli6DLg_WqjW1-yV4EPZ1TQ&index=3

[2manymustangs]

Who's the 4 eyed dork leaning on someone's bike while holding him? Bikers will hit someone with glasses and a baby for that kind of behavior. :biggrin:

You will REALLy like this dorky one... About five years earlier when my first build was fresh around 1987, both were kick start ONLY and 1340 shovels... :chopper:

48736


My little brother (kidding) didn't like it when I messed with his superglide (below) back in the mid 70's but that is what I learnd on... The ole safety pin through the wiring harness trick... ;)

48748
^^^ My brothers scoot in it's earliest iteration, which eventually became a jockey shift - DEraker in the late 70's, prolly the first St Louis ever saw w/ 12" over "forkin by frank" tubes in the narrow factory trees. I remember that Lou Osmond built (of Speed Sport TFH fame) built his braided stainless lines back in those days with "Earl's" hardware...
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[jordy]

Those are some cool old bikes! Thankfully the really big wheel thing seems to be dying out. 30" wheels are dumb in pretty much every case, and now there are a few that have gone bigger than that. I almost pulled the trigger on a WCC roller a couple years ago when Jesse wasn't making bikes, but held back. Now he's making frames and parts again and someone way overpaid for that frame. I am going to build a little hot rod bar hopper at some point, something timeless, with nothing but wheels and a motor... pure function. :chopper:

[CampbellCarl]

Vic, I've got a couple grand in the safe and my pickup is gassed up.......I can be there and rid you of the problem in about an hour.....

[jordy]

Vic, I've got a couple grand in the safe and my pickup is gassed up.......I can be there and rid you of the problem in about an hour.....

People helping people? :3:

[2manymustangs]

Those are some cool old bikes! Thankfully the really big wheel thing seems to be dying out. 30" wheels are dumb in pretty much every case, and now there are a few that have gone bigger than that. I almost pulled the trigger on a WCC roller a couple years ago when Jesse wasn't making bikes, but held back. Now he's making frames and parts again and someone way overpaid for that frame. I am going to build a little hot rod bar hopper at some point, something timeless, with nothing but wheels and a motor... pure function. :chopper:

Ive got the fever again pretty bad, my neighbor is getting fed up with his first year pan and I'm waiting with baited breath... I hear you, I just want something super-simple/clean/lean... Hard tail again... BUT I wouldn't kick a EVO FXR out of bed either, I like the unique look of a trick FXR... I'm not a picky man...


Vic, I've got a couple grand in the safe and my pickup is gassed up.......I can be there and rid you of the problem in about an hour.....

I could see you on a big cc Rking sir... :popcorn: Armon-ized...

[jordy]

I'm not a picky man...


American v-twin with knees in the breeze. ;-)

Another one of my good friends owns Knockout Motorcycles. I was trying to save a pic of my favorite bike they've built but I can't get it bigger than a thumbnail. Go to http://www.knockoutmotorcycles.com/ and click on motorcycles (http://www.knockoutmotorcycles.com/motorcycles.htm) and the first one on the second row, #14 is my favorite one they've built. That thing is a rocketship, like tear your arms off fast.

[2manymustangs]

American v-twin with knees in the breeze. ;-)

Another one of my good friends owns Knockout Motorcycles. I was trying to save a pic of my favorite bike they've built but I can't get it bigger than a thumbnail. Go to http://www.knockoutmotorcycles.com/ and click on motorcycles (http://www.knockoutmotorcycles.com/motorcycles.htm) and the first one on the second row, #14 is my favorite one they've built. That thing is a rocketship, like tear your arms off fast.

:idhitit: even if it was built with a big CC XL engine... Which are CHEEEEEEEEEEEAP....

[jordy]

:idhitit: even if it was built with a big CC XL engine... Which are CHEEEEEEEEEEEAP....

If I had my way I'd have about 6 or so (more) scoots in my garage. Gotta have a bagger or 2, a Heritage, a little bobber, an FXR, something really old and like park in the living room kind of cool, but all fully functional and ride ready.

[2manymustangs]

If I had my way I'd have about 6 or so (more) scoots in my garage. Gotta have a bagger or 2, a Heritage, a little bobber, an FXR, something really old and like park in the living room kind of cool, but all fully functional and ride ready.

A lightweight large CC XR 750 replica would be fun I think... REpop parts (tank/seat/fender) are available...

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[HB Vic]

Don't need no stinkin Harley lol 48754

[2manymustangs]

Don't need no stinkin Harley lol 48754

You've got all the cool toys Homer...

http://youtu.be/gpyRI1j9t6c

[HB Vic]

She sure was dirty under the hood 48755
Still need a couple more hours of cleaning

[CampbellCarl]

She sure was dirty under the hood 48755
Still need a couple more hours of cleaning

And, a can of hinge paint....

:D

[HB Vic]

And, a can of hinge paint....

:D

Hahahaah love you too Carl you fucker :D

[2manymustangs]

48716

^^^ My son that is NOW 20 yrs old... :)


20+ years later and I'm trying to buy this bike back from the now owner... The guy I sold to is dying with cancer and sold it last fall to another dude...

It is all still intact...


Andrew Games, please post up a pic of your scoot...

[HB Vic]

20+ years later and I'm trying to buy this bike back from the now owner... The guy I sold to is dying with cancer and sold it last fall to another dude...

It is all still intact...


Andrew Games, please post up a pic of your scoot...

Pretty cool you've kept track of its whereabouts [emoji1360]

[2manymustangs]

Pretty cool you've kept track of its whereabouts [emoji1360]

I'm waiting patiently for it...

I went digging for the pic that Rivergames posted up years ago of his bike...

[riverrunner1984]

I can relate. My grandpa gave me my first car a 1983 Buick park avenue. Not that I need it but I really wish I had that car. More for sentimental reasons....


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[314joey]

This was 40 years ago, me and my Bro, guess which one is "ME"

[2manymustangs]

This was 40 years ago, me and my Bro, guess which one is "ME"

Im assuming that with the 70's chevelle on one side and the early to mid 70's ford/tornino on the other side that your sitting on a mid 70's AMF superglide?

[2manymustangs]

20+ years later and I'm trying to buy this bike back from the now owner... The guy I sold to is dying with cancer and sold it last fall to another dude...

It is all still intact...


Andrew Games, please post up a pic of your scoot...

FOUND IT!!! :) AND had fun looking for it...

61946

[314joey]

FOUND IT!!! :) AND had fun looking for it...

61946

Sweeeeeeeeeeet............I love old school.

[2manymustangs]

Guess who came home 20 years later...

I picked her up last Saturday... LOTS o cleaning and updates needed...

The guy I sold it to 20 years ago wanted that rear fender, I had a old school flat fender/strut on her... TIme for some risers/Zbars or medium height ape hangers...

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[HB Vic]

Sweet old schooler [emoji1360]


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[2manymustangs]

Sweet old schooler [emoji1360]


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funny thing, it was a brand new 80" shovel head when I sold it 20 years back, its got just 4000 miles on it and purrrrrs like the day I sold it...

[2manymustangs]

Charge it and RUN the biotch... If it fails, get a new pump and injectors, I will be out in late DEC to put it together and WRING that biooootch out for you... :action-smiley-047:

48715

48716

^^^ My son that is NOW 20 yrs old... :)

BUMP, then and now...