Won't start after washing filter

08 Streetbob, got a new air filter got wrong one have stage 1. Took the existing filter off and cleaned it. Put it back on then washed bike with water hose. Bike will turn over but won't start? Had no issues prior to cleaning filter.

Tharris,

I am no motorcycle mechanic, but I have worked on cars for years. You mentioning the water makes me think you should let it sit. I have done something similar with a car motor and after it sat a while and dried out it would start. What I had done was get the ignition wet.


What did you clean the filter with? I would think if you cleaned it with anything other than air it may not be able to breathe.



BTW: Those street bobs are really nice!

Thanks I love to ride it! I used water and washed it out then blew it gently with my air compressor. I washed the bike after I cleaned filter. I cleaned the filter on Friday night once I realized I had been sold the wrong one. Then washed the bike Saturday early morning.

I am sure you will be good when it dries.

I hope so!

Did you ever crank it after you washed out the air filter?

Unfortunately no, that's part of my dilemma.

Take it out of the housing and let it sit in the sun and dry. It may not be dry yet if still in the housing

I know a lot of people that use a leaf blower to dry their bikes. If youhave one, why not?

Another day and it still won't start...gonna give it one more day and then I guess off to the Harley service. Ugh!

Like Ken said, the ignition or the plug wires are the likely culprit. Has to be water somewhere where it shouldn't be. It's possible you forced water someplace it dosen't belong with the air compressor. Also, check the top of your battery for sitting water.

BTW, I never "wash" my bike. Everything is cleaned by hand - no water hoses, no air compressor - no problemo.

Tharris,

Did she ever crank today?

No it has not started...last night I checked a spark plug and it doesn't appear to be getting any fire. So I am thinking there is an issue that is outside of the moisture issue I thought. Your thoughts?

Did you check your fuses yet?

Since this was a few days ago now, I assume it is dried out? If not you could dry out the plug wires/ coils with a hair dryer, or spray them with WD-40 or something to displace any residual water. Could be some water got inside the connector of the coil on the primary side and is grounding it out before it can energize. Had stuff like this happen when the detailer cleans car motors off.

These new bikes won't fire a spark if they don't detect compression(my '03 won't anyway)you need to plug the spark plug holes(another spark plug) then you can put a plug in the wire ,ground it and check for spark...They will fire and run on one cylinder too so take both wires off the plugs in the holes...Did you look to see if you unplugged something when you washed it or maybe blew a fuse??