So, my hog is in hell. There is a gremlin somewhere. Cranking over but not starting. I could ask for tips, but we all know the answer: compression, spark or fuel. So a more fun question is has your bike ever had a gremlin that defied multiple apparent fixes and turned out to be, well, who knows, what is blindingly obvious as to be crazy the problem was missed, or so deeply puzzling it enters the hall of wierd little mysteries?

My story? Still unresolved. Bike has returned from shop three times and failed to start at home a few days later. Initially it was faulty ignition module and dead battery. Changed both and put in new coil, spark plugs. Rode home, didn't start a few days later: faulty (new) battery. Back to shop: new (new) battery, they do the electrical diagnosis I originally suggested, finding the stator plug wires corroded. Rode home. Two days later (first ride) she is running on one cylinder. Back to shop: adjust pushrods. Rode home. Three days later, first ride, won't start. Commit suicide. Reborn. The shop sends pickup again. I have deep reservations about the techs idea about how the bike should start: he throttles it mercilessly; it always started with a quarter turn spurt and push the bloody button. Beginning to think it's incompetence, malicious white anting, or a gremlin. I hate gremlins.

 

 

from what you have discribed sounds like a charging issue , bad reg or stator bit more info though in what bike is it and
And when you say bike sat for 2 days and wouldn't start did it crank over or nothing when you hit the start button but yep
Agree with what your your saying in to start procedure any where from 1/4 to full squirt than hit the starter

Kiwidave, the engine has been in the bike for about 6 years. I upgraded the entire charging system even before it was installed. The bike has been running problem-free for about 3.5 years, so I know the current issue is not due to mismatched components for the high compression engine. 

Could the issue be the new ignition module? Apparently they come pre-setup from the factory, and the shop owner recommended a higher grade ignition module than the one that came with the Ultima 107 when I bought it, but could the timing simply be out for my motor/setup? 

Baloffski, yep, tough to imagine two failed batteries being normal. Something is amiss. My wife got me a b'day present of a motorcycle maintenance course, which I have not yet had time to do, but I am regretting that sometimes!

Once upon a time, I decided to buy a particular item of electronic equipment.

Wasn't cheap; wasn't a 'bottom of the heap' brand.

First three I tried were all faulty.

( fourth O.K. .... am a persistent sod. Lol )

Look too the starter motor, just coz it starts sometimes does sound like starter motor brushes need replacing, how do I know?

Bobby, I'm getting the draw of the starter motor tested.

Kiwidave, I've got a multimeter! Note above I said I tested the battery. I can do some basics with the multimeter but not enough to trace all connections and so forth. I should learn. My wife promised to but me a motorcycle maintenance course for my b'day. You're in Melbourrne, right? I could pay you on some Saturday?!

But anyway, I see your point. I'm pretty sure the battery was independent faulty before my charging system got hold of it, as the Autobarn guy noted a 3 CCA drop 3 hrs after the 1 hr (after charging) test. I suspect the shop gave me the same bad battery back or improperly charge each (or have old batteries they're passing off).

The bike started first go today, with that faulty (low CCA) battery at 284 CCA (probably lower), and I rode the bike straight to a shop I've dealt with before. Only reason I went to the other was the guy was away. I should have been more patient! I'm having him get a DECA battery, conduct an electrics test (charging etc), and have a look at the starter motor too. But I see your point about the new battery so I'll call him and ask him to trickle charge it once he gets it in. Best I can do with the bike already there. But I'm picking it up Friday, so best I can do is throw it on the trickle charged after the 40km ride home. Is it a lost cause at that point, in terms of charging to capacity ("training it")?

Had this same issue 6 odd years ago , Went though a few battery's in 18 mths couldn't find a fault every time I checked it
One day I got to work jumped of ran in and got my meter and guess what I finally found I had a shitty. Reg was at 15.8v
Put a good brand reg on cycle electric never a issue again , as for a ssb battery's I was running them at the time I was chasing
Down my problam and was thinking the same till that day Now that's all I use I think ssb hvt5 I think 425cca Or a genuine
Harley, deka in my opinion are overrated shit. The gray 325cca any way got brand new one on my shelf which was in one of my bikes for a mth or so went back to ssb. More grunt cca Better starting and everything as you know when the volts our down a bit the bike will not go , but as said before make sure your reg has a good earth too

I sympathise with everybody who has ever had an electrical problem/ headfuck. My right blinkers sometimes dont work so I start checking things out bulbs/ switch/ wires etc and then it starts working again without me fixing anything. Its happened four times in three years so yeah Darrin, Ive got a gremlin in my bike too.

Melbourne to Cooma and back through every mountain pass I could get wheels too, and the bike started and ran perfectly, including at 5 degrees in the Cooma morning. Deka 325 CCA goes fine. Just the battery. Just the frakkin battery.

Good result....!