Issues with a Harley

[SC0TT]

My buddy has a Harley that hasn't run in about a year. He laid it down, trailered it home, and now it wont fire over.

It's a 77 iron head engine on a 40's pan head frame. Has a Springer front end, apes, and 6 inch risers. He is torn between fixing it or selling it as is.

Any clue what it could be worth as it sits?

Anyone have experience and maybe able to help get it running?

 

[DinkyDau]

Part it out, I think he'll get more..

 

[SC0TT]

Agreed but parting it out is such a hassle. Half the offers will no show and most of the others will just be lowballing you to death. Turns out to not even be worth your time by the end of it

 

[41mag]

Cant be all that hard to figure out....you need fire, fuel and compression to make them run.
Any decent mechanic could figure it out

 

[CliffB]

RumbleOn.

 

[gyppo]

Repeat of the earlier poster. That is pretty easy to troubleshoot. It is most likely fuel or spark since nothing major has happened since it last ran. Ethanol probably corroded the fuel system and if it is getting fuel in the combustion chamber the fuel from a year ago will probably not fire in a cold engine. Replace fuel. Put in new plugs and clean the carb if needed.
I would not put starting fluid in that long stroke, probably high compression motor. It will probably start the engine but it could break the engine.

 

[harrycalahan]

Bet it needs oil

 

[SC0TT]

He leaves for the marine corps next month. He is just trying to decide on storing it until he gets back or selling it to have one less worry.

Fuel was changed, carb rebuild by a "harley" specialist, and its getting spark at the plug. Turns over all day just wont start

Oil is good

 

[Grunk]

Repeat of the earlier poster. That is pretty easy to troubleshoot. It is most likely fuel or spark since nothing major has happened since it last ran. Ethanol probably corroded the fuel system and if it is getting fuel in the combustion chamber the fuel from a year ago will probably not fire in a cold engine. Replace fuel. Put in new plugs and clean the carb if needed.
I would not put starting fluid in that long stroke, probably high compression motor. It will probably start the engine but it could break the engine.

I don't know how long it has been sitting since it last was running but this is the best first step if nothing major has happened. Those old engines don't like ethanol gas, I don't care what the EPA tells you. Could be as simple as gummed up jets. I'd clean the crabs, new plugs, new gas and try it before selling it or parting it out.

 

[SC0TT]

I'm gonna call a few places tomorrow and see if they can take a look at it. Always like asking ODT folks. If anyone has a reference to someone they trust lemme know.