MY 1st H.D. :woohoo: HELP PLEASE!!!

[Texas_Wild]

OK so I got my first Harley Davidson! Its an 1986 Sportster 883 and I dont care she is 23 years old. I have owned another bike before but not a Harley! SooooooO much better!

OK to my point. I have a few issues that I want to fix!

1. Sometime when I push the starter button nothing happens. Let me add to this that I can see the console lights clicking on and off when i turn the key on and the kill switch! Also I can hear a clicking sound coming from under my seat! Sometimes I dont have any issues most of the time I do. It doesn't matter if warm or cold! Also its a new battery!

2. My tachometer doesnt always work.... let me rephrase that ...... my tach only works sometimes! lol! Usually after I am excelerating and it will kick in for about 300 to 500 rpm increase and then cuts back out~! I dont really need it I know when to shift but I would like it to work!!!

3. My front head light is out and I am not sure what voltage the system I think i found a sealed beam light bulb for alot cheaper than o.m.e. harley sells for $88 but is it 12v or 6v system, the bulb I found is 12v..........???

Confirm or deny~ Does h.d. charge a ridiculas amount for the sealed beam bulbs because they want you to convert over to the new system which is only a single dollar more? THat way they can quit making them and save money, probably better spent else when in R&D or advertising but chaps my ass because I have to pay OR buy NON-name brand!

Well thanks for your time, help and listing to my rant!

ALL HELP AND ADVICE IS !



P.S. Still love H.D.!!!

[kustom_flames]

First off congrats on the scoot! I'm surely not as technical as most here so I can't offer too much advice...did you replace the plugs and plug wires? The carb isn't gummed up is it?

Others will chime in and help out...best of luck with her!

[Texas_Wild]

Originally Posted by kustom_flames

First off congrats on the scoot! I'm surely not as technical as most here so I can't offer too much advice...did you replace the plugs and plug wires? The carb isn't gummed up is it?

Others will chime in and help out...best of luck with her!

Thanks for the congrats first and foremost and the advice!

When I say nothing happens I should have been more specific! The starter doesnt even kick in! It's Not that it wont fire because its not getting spark to cyclinders because I can put it in 1st get it rolling and clutch it and it fires right up! When I push the starter button nothing happens from the starter! But when it does it fires right uP!

THanks again!

E2

[DueceDog]

You say it has a new battery. If you put it in, then you'd know if the bike is a 12 or 6 volt system. If you have access to a volt meter you can test the battery.

I'd say to check your ground wire(s). Start with the battery itself.
Check both ends of the cables to make sure the connections are clean and tight. Move to the starter cables, and do the same thing.
Just make sure you have the battery disconnected or you'll likely see some pretty sparkles.

If that doesn't turn up the problem, then it may be the starter itself.
I used to have a car that I'd have to carry a small ball peen hammer with me. Sometimes it would exhibit the same symptoms you describe. I'd take the hammer and tap on the starter while someone turned the key. Carried that hammer for about a year before I finally decided to replace the starter. So, try tapping the starter lightly and see if that works.

The first, and most important, tool you should buy is a service manual for your bike. That will tell you most of what you need to know to maintain your bike.

[Texas_Wild]

Originally Posted by DueceDog

You say it has a new battery. If you put it in, then you'd know if the bike is a 12 or 6 volt system. If you have access to a volt meter you can test the battery.

I'd say to check your ground wire(s). Start with the battery itself.
Check both ends of the cables to make sure the connections are clean and tight. Move to the starter cables, and do the same thing.
Just make sure you have the battery disconnected or you'll likely see some pretty sparkles.

If that doesn't turn up the problem, then it may be the starter itself.
I used to have a car that I'd have to carry a small ball peen hammer with me. Sometimes it would exhibit the same symptoms you describe. I'd take the hammer and tap on the starter while someone turned the key. Carried that hammer for about a year before I finally decided to replace the starter. So, try tapping the starter lightly and see if that works.

The first, and most important, tool you should buy is a service manual for your bike. That will tell you most of what you need to know to maintain your bike.

The man I bought it from told me it was new! I have only had this bike a week! So he could have lied to me! If it was the battery wouldn't the netural light not come on at all instead of getting dim and then bright. Also when that happens the tach and speedo lights come on and then cut off when the dimming happens!

[hbmc]

Sorry... Hate to be the one to mention it BUT get a manual and use the troubleshoot on that electrical. It will not only steer you through it but will also help you use short cuts so you do not have to start buying unnecessary parts. Sound like your battery is not charged as well as a ground is not good (because of the lights go brite then low)
Have you tried jump starting the bike? As well as tested the battery? Just because they are new and charged does not mean they won't discharge.

I know there is a way to test the starter itself in the bike by going direct drive to the starter with juice, however I am not sure you can go from your Jump source to the starter without surge ramifications? UNKNOWN to me. Anyone who knows?

[Texas Tom]

If the guy you bought it from replaced the battery he may not have cleaned the connectors or tightned them up enough,pull the neg cable off first then your positive clean them really good then use some battery connector grease (dont know what its called but can buy in auto stores) im willing to bet you a beer thats your problem.Dont know much about sporty`s but all HD`s since early days are 12volt,88$ for a headlight? 14$ for mine dont get it..Tom.

[Texas_Wild]

Originally Posted by Texas Tom

If the guy you bought it from replaced the battery he may not have cleaned the connectors or tightned them up enough,pull the neg cable off first then your positive clean them really good then use some battery connector grease (dont know what its called but can buy in auto stores) im willing to bet you a beer thats your problem.Dont know much about sporty`s but all HD`s since early days are 12volt,88$ for a headlight? 14$ for mine dont get it..Tom.

Thanks Tom! Yea H.D. in Garland wants 88 bucks for the sealed beam light and 89 for the converson kit so I can use the new style bulbs instead of the sealed beam!

Thanks again!

[Texas_Wild]

QUESTION: I found a bulb but it says it 4.5 inches I measured my light housing and it measures 5.5 inches! Am i measuring wrong or what? They say it fits but dont want to buy and have to return!

[hbmc]

take the bulb out and head over to the autoparts store and match it up. I did with my Fatboy over at pepboys got a new bulb reasonable and had been good for a few years now...

[fkeuppens]

Congrats on the scoot... next stop, Keller's on Northwest highway for a #5 special.
I just replaced a turn signal bulb on my Nightrain, I'm under the impression that they are all GE bulbs, you should be able to match it up at most auto parts stores. You typically pay double for OEM parts because they come in a box with an HD logo on it... I think they use really expensive ink....

[Texas_Wild]

Originally Posted by fkeuppens

Congrats on the scoot... next stop, Keller's on Northwest highway for a #5 special.
I just replaced a turn signal bulb on my Nightrain, I'm under the impression that they are all GE bulbs, you should be able to match it up at most auto parts stores. You typically pay double for OEM parts because they come in a box with an HD logo on it... I think they use really expensive ink....

Just got back from the one on garland rd! IT was a number #3 fries and root beer But it was great!

[Texas_Wild]

Ok here are photo! I took of the seat today and found out it was glued on! Make me rethink the previous owner! Gluing the seat on! It is missing the bracket to bolt it down! So now I have to go through everything I take it see how much was lies!
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Waiting for wise cracks!

Anyways, I belive these are relays, right? Anyone know what they do! I dont have a manual or the cash right now! So please help! One of them make a clicking sound and i think might be my issue with started and maybe head light! But I dont want to mess with them untill I know! I can ride now and it would suck to tear it down and not get it back running!

Thats why I am here, well at least one reason!

Thanks!

[keebler]

Start with the battery. You say it works sometimes and not others. Do you notice any pattern of when it works, for example, if you push start it and ride it for a while will it work if you shut it off and start it right back up. If so this would indicate that your battery is weak. The dimming of the dashboard lites is typical because they don't use allot of power, so a weak battery can power them, but cuts out when the current transfers to the starter. You could try putting a trickle charger on the battery battery over night. Texas Tom mentioned checking the terminals, this bike is old so this is a great place to start, rust or corrosion on the terminals can cause problems to. If you have to clean them, use a little WD40 and then a little dielectric grease. Good luck, keep us informed.

[keebler]

Also.......the clicking relay would also be a symptom if the battery is weak.