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  • Help me find thread on starting a Chief

    I have been riding my '48 Chief for over 50 years, but it can be contrary when it comes to starting at times. I know there is a thread somewhere where our members discuss starting techniques. Please help me find that thread.
    BTW, I am ready to start using ether to get the bike started!
    George Tinkham
    Springfield, IL
    www.virmc.com
    AMCA # 1494
    1941 Indian 841
    1948 Indian Chief
    1956 H-D KHK
    1960 CH
    1964 BMW R69S
    1966 Honda Touring Benly (aka "150 Dream")
    1984 Moto Guzzi V65Sp

  • #2
    George,
    50 years is a long time! Is it giving you problems particularly when’s it’s cold, hot, warm? Or all of the above?
    Jason Zerbini
    #21594
    Near Pittsburgh PA (Farm Country)
    Allegheny Mountain Chapter http://amcaamc.com/

    Comment


    • #3
      Do you have the correct carburetor including venturi and main nozzle?
      Float material?
      Float setting?
      Vacuum leak (throttle shaft)?
      Vacuum leak (manifold, nipples)?
      Spark setting?
      Plug gap?
      The Linkert Book

      Comment


      • #4
        My 47 starts cold with a couple kicks, with the choke on. Then one click down on the choke lever. Then one healthy kick it usually fires up. Hot is a different story. It starts very hard. Seams the more people watching the harder it starts. You may check for air leaks on the manifold. I made up a plate to pressurize the manifold, and use soap to check for leaks. Even with no air leaks my 47 still starts hard hot. Wish I had a better answer for you. Stan

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by stan View Post
          My 47 starts cold with a couple kicks, with the choke on. Then one click down on the choke lever. Then one healthy kick it usually fires up. Hot is a different story. It starts very hard. Seams the more people watching the harder it starts. You may check for air leaks on the manifold. I made up a plate to pressurize the manifold, and use soap to check for leaks. Even with no air leaks my 47 still starts hard hot. Wish I had a better answer for you. Stan
          Stan!

          Did you bubble-test at a full 15psi, using a constant, regulated air supply?

          Sorry I had to ask, but hand pumps, shop vacs, and air mattress pumps give false negatives.

          ....Cotten
          PS: Holes get bigger when hot.
          Last edited by T. Cotten; 09-15-2019, 01:06 PM.
          AMCA #776
          Dumpster Diver's Motto: Seek,... and Ye Shall Find!

          Comment


          • #6
            Hot start check coil, it could have a heat soak problem. Also make sure you don't have peaks forming on points as condenser could cause that.

            Comment


            • #7
              Valves seem to be fine. Brand new Bendix carburetor and solid state 12 ignition system from Starklite. For a few weeks, it started fairly well. I let it sit for ~1 1/2 weeks this month; then, it became stubborn. I finally got it to fire up when I used ether on it today. It ran fine once I got it going. Until I figure this out, there will be a container of ether in my saddlebag!
              George Tinkham
              Springfield, IL
              www.virmc.com
              AMCA # 1494
              1941 Indian 841
              1948 Indian Chief
              1956 H-D KHK
              1960 CH
              1964 BMW R69S
              1966 Honda Touring Benly (aka "150 Dream")
              1984 Moto Guzzi V65Sp

              Comment


              • #8
                I've owned my 58 Panhead for almost 50 years. It starts cold usually no issue. After that it could be one kick or a hundred. For 50 yrs. its been a pain in my unowhat. My 57, never an issue.
                Last edited by D.A.Bagin; 09-16-2019, 06:08 AM.
                D. A. Bagin #3166 AKA Panheadzz 440 48chief W/sidecar 57fl 57flh 58fl 66m-50 68flh 70xlh

                Comment


                • #9
                  Maybe you just need more fuel during priming. Don’t know Bendix carbs but does it have an accelerator pump?
                  Jason Zerbini
                  #21594
                  Near Pittsburgh PA (Farm Country)
                  Allegheny Mountain Chapter http://amcaamc.com/

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Seriously, Folks.

                    HDs and Indians started the same: Both damn easy honest!...

                    When everything's in order.

                    If it don't, then its broken: Fix it.

                    ....Cotten
                    Last edited by T. Cotten; 09-16-2019, 02:56 PM.
                    AMCA #776
                    Dumpster Diver's Motto: Seek,... and Ye Shall Find!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I had a regulator attached to the air supply. Stan

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        47 Chief

                        Cold start 1st kick- throttle all the way open, choke all the way closed. 2nd. kick throttle all the way closed, choke up one notch. 3rd kick- slightly crack throttle, retard spark 1/2 way and you should be good to go. Hot start- slightly crack throttle, choke all the way open. This works for me!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Skirted View Post
                          Don’t know Bendix carbs but does it have an accelerator pump?
                          Yes, it does.
                          George Tinkham
                          Springfield, IL
                          www.virmc.com
                          AMCA # 1494
                          1941 Indian 841
                          1948 Indian Chief
                          1956 H-D KHK
                          1960 CH
                          1964 BMW R69S
                          1966 Honda Touring Benly (aka "150 Dream")
                          1984 Moto Guzzi V65Sp

                          Comment

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