| Author | Message | ||
     Ahowudoon |
I just bought a new/slightly used '07 Uly from the H-D dealer with 478 miles on it. Bike was in great condition during my test ride and he gave me such a great deal on the bike, I had him install heated grips. Well, everything was finished up and the bike was delivered yesterday morning. My set of hard luggage was also delivered. The weather in the South suburbs of Chicago being what it was yesterday, I spent the rest of the morning installing the luggage brackets. After I got done, even though it was too cruddy to ride, I just had to hear the bike run. I had a heck of a time getting it to start. It was already on the reserve fuel odometer, so I ran to the BP and filled my can with a couple gallons of premium and topped the bike off. After I got it started, I had to keep the R's up manually and it backfired several times. If I let go of the throttle it would die out. Eventually, it remained running, but didn't sound all that great so I stopped screwing with it. This morning it was 48-50 degrees and I was itching to take it out. Couldn't get it to turn over at all. As a matter of fact, I pretty much killed the battery trying. It's on the tender in the garage now charging back up. The garage has been heated while I've been out there, but it's attached to the house and doesn't get that cold to begin with. I called the dealer and he told me I fouled the plugs and that's why it wouldn't start. I just can't see it. I probably only had it running for 5-10 minutes total since I've had it. I'm sure someone has posted something similar in the past; and I checked the archives, but didn't see it. Any help you guys can provide to a newbie would be great. I plan to call the dealer back again tomorrow and talk to the owner (today was his day off) as he was the one who sold and delivered the bike. Thanks, Chris | ||
| Bosh |
It does sound like fouled plugs. Not sure of how you started it, but some folks say if you try giving the bike throttle when starting it you will foul the plugs. If you didn't "give it the gas", not sure why they would foul (if that's the problem). | ||
| Florida_lime |
I've heard several cases of bikes fresh from the dealer fouling spark plugs. The don't like getting started, then shut down, then started, and shut down. Really shouldn't happen with a fuel injected bike, but it does. They like to be ridden after being started though.  | ||
| Neurorider |
Well, look at the bright side...winter is a good time to sort it out before you lose good riding weather! Seriously though, pull a plug and look at it, check your fuel for water (easy to get condensation going from warm/cold/warm again), and see if it does better with the battery charged all the way. May just have some water in fuel, or weak battery. FI bikes don't like low batteries. And above all don't let the rough beginning tarnish the relationship as it will get better! Good chance to get acquainted with what makes these tick. Good luck! doc | ||
| Jmhinkle |
It's the plugs. If you had to hold the throttle to keep it running especially. That is exactly how mine acted the last time I got it back from the dealer and the only time it ever had fouled plugs. That was also the proverbial "straw" for me. Pull your plugs and clean them up. The bike will fire right up after you get the battery charged. | ||
| Ahowudoon |
Thanks for the input. I'm trying to keep a cool head, as I've wanted this bike ever since it came out. It's a big change from the 600cc Suzuki I was riding before. As I am new to the bike and I didn't see anything in the owner's manual, how do you get to the plugs to get them out. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I think I can tackle the job...if I just knew how to get to the plugs. I'm going to look for a service manual as well. Thanks. | ||
| Treadmarks |
option 1, Change the plugs, check the wires and connections while you're in there. option 2, set a floor heater next to the bike over night, while the battery is charging. Try to get the engine temp warm at about 80 or 90 degrees. Start the bike with no throttle and let it idle for a long time. If it idles enough to make the fan come on, use a floor fan to keep it cool. I had the fouled plugs last winter from blipping the throttle when cold. | ||
| Lastcyclone |
PM sent Chris. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
You will need a swivel extension to get to the rear plug. Front one is straight forward. (Message edited by bienhoabob on January 31, 2008) | ||
| Chrisgrant |
Been there, done that, on the day of my first ride on the '08. Change the plugs. I went to the local HD store to pick up a pair. Changed them and it started right up. | ||
| Chrisgrant |
You can go to www.buell.com and call up service manual pages online. I can't find service manuals, only owners manuals. HELP! | ||
| Ahowudoon |
 Just wanted you all to know that I am up and running. I pulled the plugs this morning and they were in fact all jazzed up. After a good cleaning I was up and running. I took it out in the 20 degree cold for a test run to get it all cleaned out. Everything ran great and the grip heaters, even on low, were awsome. Thanks for all the help! |
