 Trouble starting
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122
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OP
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122 |
05 Speedmaster, AI removed, SS pipes, Procomm EFI.
Initially bike was running on one cylinder. Replaced igniter with the Procomm. Cant remember which setting, but now running on both cylinders. Battery was never great - replaced. Replaced plugs. Starts and was running great, for a few weeks.
Yesterday, on a slightly colder morning, bike would turn but not fire. After a few attempts, it would fire, then conk out as if it was too cold.
Choke on or open throttle - would only turn and not fire.
No choke, bike would turn and occasionally fire and die.
Eventually fired and stayed running.
Same thing on the ride back from work. Had to eventually get someone to jump start as I wore the battery down after about 20 attempts to start.
Help! I was wondering if the Procom may be causing it?
Many Thanks!
Clive
Mole,
2005 865cc Speedmaster, Teal Blue
AI removed, SS Short slash exhausts.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Procom does seem to tend to cause harder starting the colder it gets. Haven't heard it being as bad as you describe. I used setting 6.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 16
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 16 |
Procom are fickle in cold weather. Try pushing in the choke " I'm sure someone will correct us, It's not a choke  Anywho push it in, as you are spinning the starter slowly pull the choke out about 3/4 of the way. Work's for me. I'm sure there are other issues but give it a go. As well try different settings on the Procom, easy peasy adjustment
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I do mine opposite, I have it all the way out and push it in a bit as I'm cranking the motor over until it catches
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122 |
Thanks guys. I will try the various starting techniques.
Mole,
2005 865cc Speedmaster, Teal Blue
AI removed, SS Short slash exhausts.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
I have noticed a similar issue as the mornings have gotten colder as well. I replaced my bad cdi with a Procom about a year ago. If I start the bike in the morning after it has been on the tender it fires right up, when I stay at my girlfriend's house and it is not on the tender it is fairly difficult to start. I just had the battery tested at the auto store and it tested good. I suspect that the issue may be the regulator/rectifier. I get around 14.5 volts idling at 1150 rpms but the volts drop as the rpms rise to around 12.5/12.4 at 4000 rpms. I am wondering if maybe a weak regulator/rectifier is preventing the battery from fully charging causing it to be on the border line of not having enough volts to fire right up when it has not been on the tender. I plan on ordering Rick's Hot Shot regulator/rectifier when i get paid next Friday. I will let you know if that corrects the issue.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
... I suspect that the issue may be the regulator/rectifier. I get around 14.5 volts idling at 1150 rpms but the volts drop as the rpms rise to around 12.5/12.4 at 4000 rpms. I am wondering if maybe a weak regulator/rectifier is preventing the battery from fully charging ...
Yep...
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Quote:
... I suspect that the issue may be the regulator/rectifier. I get around 14.5 volts idling at 1150 rpms but the volts drop as the rpms rise to around 12.5/12.4 at 4000 rpms. I am wondering if maybe a weak regulator/rectifier is preventing the battery from fully charging ...
Yep...
Thanks for the confirmation, Ken. You and the other regulars that have been on here for a while are a tremendous help to the rest of us.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122 |
Thanks for the info guys. This morning I tried playing with the choke per "mikemm03" and "roadworthy" and it did start up right away.  I will also look into the regulator/rectifier, altho I am not familiar with electrics. I am willing to give it a try, if its easily accessible and not too difficult to swap out? I can't afford to take it to the shop 
Mole,
2005 865cc Speedmaster, Teal Blue
AI removed, SS Short slash exhausts.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122
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Posts: 122 |
Hi JD13, I am eager to know if that fixed the issue, and how difficult it was to install.
Cheers!
Clive
Mole,
2005 865cc Speedmaster, Teal Blue
AI removed, SS Short slash exhausts.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
Mole, I will be ordering Rick's Hot Shot regulator/rectifier this coming Friday when I get paid so as soon as I get it and install it I will update you.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
I ordered Rick's Hot Shot regulator/rectifier this morning. Hopefully I will have it by next Wednesday or Thursday and I will be installing it right away so I will update as soon as possible.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18 |
Seems Procom ECUs don't like the cold , I had probs myself. I replaced it with Ignitech tcip4 and not only does it start on the button in the cold it has a much improved power curve. Cheaper too.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Seems Procom ECUs don't like the cold , I had probs myself. I replaced it with Ignitech tcip4 and not only does it start on the button in the cold it has a much improved power curve. Cheaper too.
I'm not yet convinced that it is the cold that the Procom's don't like, I think it is low voltage out put from weak regulator/rectifiers that it doesn't like. I ran my bike with the Procom all last winter and through the cold early spring here in Ohio with no problems. My hard starting issues did not begin until recently, at the same time that I noticed that my voltage drops as the rpms increase.My cdi went out at around 40,000 miles, now at 50,000 my regulator rectifier seems to be on its way out. I don't know if CDIs and regulator/rectifiers are considered wear items but that is what it seems that they are. We expect to replace brake pads,rotors,spark plugs,plug wires, tires, chains, sprockets and such but don't expect to replace electronics. I would interested to hear from someone who has a Procom and has done the regulator/rectifier mod or uprgade it to see how theirs starts. If nothing else I should have my Rick's Hot Shot regulator/rectifier this week and I will find out for myself.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2012
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I got my Rick's Hotshot regulator/rectifier today and got it installed. Good news is that I am reading 14.55 volts across the entire rpm range where as before I was reading 14.6 volts idling at 1150 rpms and dropping off to 12.2-12.3 volts at 4000 rpms. I will see tomorrow morning if the hard starting issue is resolved.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
Well it seems that Rick's Hot Shot regulator/rectifier has cured my hard starting woes. I let my bike sit outside over night the last 3 nights and have not had it on the battery tender since last Thursday morning. I am happy to report that the ol' chap has fired right up every time with no issues what so ever. I think that a lot of our issues can be resolved by upgrading our regulator rectifiers.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Trouble starting
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 122
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OP
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Posts: 122 |
Nice one JD13. Thanks for the update!
Mole,
2005 865cc Speedmaster, Teal Blue
AI removed, SS Short slash exhausts.
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