Help Needed

[Warden]

Hi All

I have just joined the site and wonder if someone migt be able to help me.
I have just brought a 1989 Sportster 1200 it is in need of a little work but only cosmetic, the only problem I have at the moment is it won't turn over with the sparkplugs in.
I have put a new battery on her and even jumped it of the car, spins over lovely without the plugs in.
Anybody had the same problem? or any suggestions.

Cheers

Warden

[lee67]

stick the plugs in the ht leads ..hold to cyl head and watch for a spark.....no spark..then check coil/leads/ign module...if it sparks..replace plugs, try that and report back

[Warden]

Hi Lee

All that works, it is as though the engine is stuck when the plugs are in place, it just won't turnover. it is ok when the plugs are not in the heads turns over real smooth

[lee67]

mmmmmmmm...the plugs are hitting the pistons???( has it had engine work done lately)....have u heard the bike running prior to buying???..also check the plugs fitted are right ones...

[HOG maniac]

With the plugs out you will have no compression.

With them in you will put more load on the starter.(This is normal) It may be on its way out.

Get it up on a stand and try to turn it over in a high gear using the rear wheel.

[Edd-17]

Check the battery leads, earth point, and starter conection, also on your model the battery tray is known to crack by the mounting tabs, if so get them welded, all that vibration gets taken up by the leads,

[Warden]

Hi All

Will try turning over in high gear, I know that the pistons are not hitting the pistons, and the battery tray is not broken.

Will check the lead on the starter but it sounds like the starter is on the way out, but Hey Ho if you buy a project, you might as well have some work to do.

Thanks for your comments guys

[BlackEagleS]

Originally Posted by Warden

Hi All

Will try turning over in high gear, I know that the pistons are not hitting the pistons, and the battery tray is not broken.

Will check the lead on the starter but it sounds like the starter is on the way out, but Hey Ho if you buy a project, you might as well have some work to do.

Thanks for your comments guys

oddly talking to a guy at the eddie kid do last week with the same problem on a sportster. after a lot of discussion with a number of 'wiser' heads it was suggested that the primary or secondary windings had gone/were going so not enough torque left to turn it over under compression. you can check the starter windings with a multimeter (discussed elsewhere on this site - use the search) and if it is the com. can be replaced rather than buying a complete starter - just a thought.
have you tried someonelses in you bike to identify if its the starter??

[Warden]

Hi BlackEagleS

I have taken your advise and a little bit of my own thoughts, taken the starter off stripped it down and going to test it.
With a bit of luck might find the fault

Cheers

Warden

[Tony Cross]

Two very basic questions:

1/ Are the plugs the correct ones?


2/ What sort of battery is on it & what is it's output?