Like most guys in cold weather I went out to the garage to look at my bike. After admiring it for a while I decided to start it. I did what I usually do, pull open the choke, give the throttle a few twists, and then hit the starter button. It sputtered but did not start. I gave the throttle a few more twists and the same thing happened. I tried it one more time and this time it wouldn't even sputter. I thought maybe I flooded it and let it sit for about an hour and it still would not act like it wanted to start. I thought maybe the battery was not charged enough to get it going and put the charger on engine start and that was not the problem. This morning before work I tried one more time and got nothing. I give up. Does anyone have a clue? Could I have fouled the plugs? I have had this bike for a week and it has always started. I like this bike better than the Harley I had, but my Harley would start no matter what.

Please help!

Hi Rock,
My bike is somewhat different setup than yours, as I've had the S&S Super E Carb on since I bought it used 2-1/2 years ago. But, from what I've heard on the stock carbed Roadies, and also the 1100 V-Star that I had before the Roadie, you don't want to twist the throttle at all when you start them. When they're cold, choke it, but don't twist the throttle. I'd bet that you probably did fuel foul your plugs. Take them out, replace them, or dry them out with some starting fluid, and try starting it with no throttle twisting. This method also works on my S&S carbed Roadie.
Tom

Thanks Aceman, I'll try a set of new plugs. I'm still getting used to the Roadstar, I used to ride a Fatboy and you had to twist the throttle to prime the carb. Hopefully all I did was foul the plugs.

Once again thanks

Rockshow

Pull choke out, turn key on, one twist of the throttle and it's a go.

If you gave it a 'few twists' then you'll probably have trouble starting it. When mine is flooded, I twist the throttle wide open and push the starter. When it fires, gotta back it off fast.

I would advise not starting it just to hear it run I know, I like it too but you're better off taking if for a ride or if you can't then at least running her until it warms up a bit (when you no longer need the choke on). Don't let it run too long or it will overheat.

Doc

Thanks for the advice. I think there is something else wrong. I changed all of the plugs and tried to start the bike with the choke out and no throttle and it still would not give me anything. I took the air cleaner off and turned the throttle to see if I was getting any fuel and I was. I then checked to see if the plugs were firing and they were. The only thing that I noticed was on the dash. The last time I rode the fuel gage showed about 1/4 of a tank. Last night when I tried to start it it showed about 1/2 a tank. Today after I changed the plugs it showed empty, down to the pin. I even put about 2 gallons in and it still showed empty. Could there be something with a computer or electrical? Please advise.

Ok, let's get this clear ....

kickstand down
bike in neutral
handlebar switch in 'on' positon
choke on
fuel petcock 'on'

push the starter and the bike .... turns over, fires and dies (sputters), .... ????

If you give it a shot of starting fluid into the carb, does the bike start and then die?

How long has your bike been sitting around?

Do you have a manual? There is a process in the back of the manual to diagnose the individual components of the starting and fuel system.

Doc

Everything is on and the bike is in nuetral, it doesn't even sputter and die, it's like it's not getting spark or fuel, but it is because I checked the spark and fuel. I am at a loss!

I spoke with a buddy of mine here at work and he thinks it is the starter set in the choke. He thinks it needs cleaned out and it's not letting in any fuel to start the bike. That sounds right. He told me to give the carb a little shot of starter fuid and if it starts thats what it is. What is your opinion on this?

I'd certainly try the starting fluid shot like your buddy and DocShadow suggested. Let us know what happens.

This is a fuel problem. I sprayed the starter fluid in the carb and it started, ran for a couple of seconds (until the starter fluid burned off) and died. I started tracing the fuel line from the tank. I had fuel flow until I got to the fuel pump. I'm not sure how to test this, when I pulled off the hose from the pump gas poured out of the hose. I connected it back to the pump tried to start the bike again, to see if fuel would flow through the hose, pulled it off again and this time there was no fuel in it. This tells me the pump is not working. Is there anyway to test this pump with a tester? Is there anything else on the bike that could cause this pump not to work? Please advise.

Thanks,