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Latest post 11-03-2009 9:39 AM by Xea. 3 replies.
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  • 10-30-2009 8:41 PM

    I need help on my 1976 FXE Liberty Edition

     Before I joined the marines I bought another bike to work on but never had time to work on it. Its a 1976 Harley FXE liberty edition, the guy I bought it from had it sitting in his garage for 15 years, the bike was mint, no scratches dents or anything.  The chrome was all original and polishes up like the day it rolled out of the factory.  The only thing wrong was the starter was messed up.  He said it engaged one time when he was riding and burnt out the starter solenoid. I tried replacing it but it was still no good.  I barely make it home on leave and would like to make the most of my leave, the bikes in New York and I'm in San Deigo any advice? And what work would you recommend to do before trying to get the bike running?

     

  • 11-02-2009 5:31 PM In reply to

    Re: I need help on my 1976 FXE Liberty Edition

     Semper Fi. Going by what the previous owner told you is not very dependable in my opinion. There can be lots of other things besides the solinoid causing your issues. When you replaced the solinoid, did anything change? What happens when you hit the starter button? Are you familer with and have access to a voltmeter? If you have one, and know how to use it, I can walk you through the trouble shooting proceedures.  

     

  • 11-03-2009 8:18 AM In reply to

    • FX
    • Top 25 Contributor
    • Joined on 03-12-2006
    • Posts 1,856

    Re: I need help on my 1976 FXE Liberty Edition

    Scott,

     It looks like he's asking for advise on what to do to get the bike running after it sat for 15 years. The electric starter is the least of his worries now, and can be addressed later. For now, he should disable the electric starter, and use the kicker. But first he should take the carb apart and clean, make sure the gas tank is clean, and the fuel valve free flowing. Of course put fresh gas in it. Then pull the check ball out of the oil pump, and make sure it's free, and no sludge in the pump, if so, the pump will have to be taken apart and cleaned. Squirt some penatrating oil in each cyl, turn it over a few times with the kicker, if the engine ain't seized ( if so, the engine will have to be rebuilt. ) Then change all the oils. Put some high detergent auto oil in the oil tank, 10/40. Replace the spark plugs, points and condenser, make sure it has spark to the plugs, and start it. Let it run at low RPM for about 3-4 minutes, then repeat oil change and filter after the engine cools down. If everything seems right, lifters quiet, and proper oil pressure, then the third oil change can be to straight V-twin 50 wt. for an average climate, 60 wt. if hot climate, and change the oil again at about 100 miles..............If the engine is smoking, and doesn't stop after the third oil change, and down the road a bit, the rings are seized to the pistons, and or, the cyl. walls are pitted, and will have to be rebuilt....................You could be opening a major can a worms, with a bike that sat for that long.............If you do get to driving it, take a compression check dry, then wet, after the first 500 miles, and let us know what the readings are.

     

    Hey, ya know what?...........Why don't you just pull the top end anyway, check the crank, and rebuild it. The heads could be bad too. The valves and seats that were open can be pitted/rusty, and the springs that sat compressed for so long may be shot..................

     

    FX

  • 11-03-2009 9:39 AM In reply to

    Re: I need help on my 1976 FXE Liberty Edition

     FX, I guess I'm a little confused at you your reply. I was addessing what to do to find out why the bike would not start. Unless he has experiance kicking a Harley, he should not try to learn on a bike that is known not to run. He won't be able to tell if it is not starting because of a bike issue or improper kicking proceedure.  I agree taking the carb apart and cleaning it, and making sure the fuel supply is free flowing and fresh.  

     

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