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[dep47]

I have a 2010 SE5 with PC5, V&H true duals and monster ovals.  The AC is and Arlen Ness big sucker, and has been dyno tuned.  Problem is that sometimes the bike will not start right up after a short stop for gas or maybe running into a store.  The bike cranks but dose not fire.  When I stop cranking and try again it will occasionally then back fire.  Scares me and everyone else around.  This does not happen every time, and it dose not seem to matter if I have been cruising for hours, or just ran up to get gas.  Any idea?  I will be taking it back to the dealer who did the dyno and added the V&H  stuff, but would like to know what to look for.  Bike has 27,000 miles on it and the dyno up grades were done at about 2000 miles.  Bike runs fine after it starts.  

[ssls6]

Are the ACR's working?  Is it spinning fast when you try to start it?  Maybe the PC5 is trying to flood it during start up.

[Envithyx]

I have no way to validate this, and maybe by posting here it can be further commented on.

However, I was told the following by another rider who deals with more than a few bike issues a day - his day job.  I also feel he is fairly competent through personal experience and not just theory.

Anyway, he said that the PC-V can sometimes get confused as to which cylinder is firing if you don't start the bike shortly after you flip the on/run switch -- before the fuel rails fully pressurized and the check engine light goes out.  Said that he learned the hard way, but I never asked to clarify what problems ensue if it gets confused.  I assumed it wouldn't run right, sending the front cyl changes to the rear, etc.

On my other bike, I have a thundermax and I was informed by my non-dealer mechanic (not the guy above) to wait for the check engine light to go out before I start.  I had that same issue on this bike occasionally when I would start it after the rails were pressurized, but before the chk eng light went out.

So, while this doesn't necessarily offer a solution, maybe it will help.

[North Star]

Mine does the same thing ever since I put on the RSD air cleaner....coincidence or not, I don't know. I run a TTS tuner.

Don't know what's causing it, but for now, I'm hoping if I ignore it, it'll go away 

[kraut]

most probably a timing issue, so your PCV can't cure it. You may have to consult a renowned tuner.

[dep47]

I will try starting the bike as soon as I turn it on and see what happens.  I will be going to see the tuner in January and see what he has to offer.  Lie to know that I am not the only one who has had a similar problem.  Like to get it fixed before I have a heart attack from the bang, or someone else close by.  Really gets attention when your sitting at the pumps and it back fires.

[kraut]

it's a show indeed, especially at night 

Suffered from this for over 50.000 m on my last FLHRCI 103, it didn't kill the bike though ...

[rkpultrase]

If the bike was running fine to begin with and then started this misfire or hard to start recently then check your battery cables. I know it sounds off the wall but the 110 takes the full battery to turn it over and if you have just a slight loose connection it will act as you have described. It happen to me and could not belive that a slight turn to the bolt actually made a difference.

[cahdbiker]

I agree this is the best place to start to diagnose your problem. It happened to my friend on his Evo, and a loose cable was the problem. Also, my dealer told me to always make sure the fuel pump has pressurized (engine check lamps goes out) before starting the bike, but I could not find that instruction in my owner's manuel. The people I ride with all do this. However, I have started the bike before the light went out without any issues. Let us know what you find out. CAHDBIKER

If the bike was running fine to begin with and then started this misfire or hard to start recently then check your battery cables. I know it sounds off the wall but the 110 takes the full battery to turn it over and if you have just a slight loose connection it will act as you have described. It happen to me and could not belive that a slight turn to the bolt actually made a difference.

[dep47]

The bike always has run great, and the backfire thing is so intermittent I can't can't even recall the exact circumstances when it occurs.  It normally happens when I have just refueled.  The routine I always go through is to turn on the key , then reset the odometer and start the bike.  The bike is never out of gas or even close when I fill up.  I always let the red key light go out before starting and time I start the bike.  I will check the battery cable, but this is not something that has started recently.  Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[kraut]

my bike "devellloped" the back fire after some 5.000 m out of a sudden. I checked everything over and over - to no avail. It happened only when restarting the bike during a ride, never after it had cooled down for more than let's say 30 min. Official statement from dealer and MoCo-rep: "some high compression engines do that" 

Unfortunately in those days nobody over here dared to touch the timing with the EFI bikes so that's what was left as probable reason as the engine got entirely rebuilt (including different cams and battery) once at 20.000 m and again at 45.000 m - back firing didn't stop 

[dep47]

Seems like that is what is happening with mine, I will have it back at the dealers that did the PC5 set up, and will find out then what he has to say.  I just worry about damaging the engine or the exhaust system.

[kraut]

damages are not likely - except to the clutch. And even that part didn't suffer on my bike.

[dep47]

Good to know, I will have the bike in the shop Monday to get the heated grips replaced, and will have them see if they can figure it out.  Rode about 450 miles yesterday doing the  ABC's of touring, and started the bike probably 30 times, only had one case where it did not start right up, but I waited a few seconds before trying again, and it coughed before starting but did not back fire.  I have tried all the suggestions when starting, and no difference, it just acts up occasionally, and is not predictable.  Hard to fix when I can't figure out what is causing it, or how to make it happen on demand.

[sadunbar]

Good to know, I will have the bike in the shop Monday to get the heated grips replaced, and will have them see if they can figure it out.  Rode about 450 miles yesterday doing the  ABC's of touring, and started the bike probably 30 times, only had one case where it did not start right up, but I waited a few seconds before trying again, and it coughed before starting but did not back fire.  I have tried all the suggestions when starting, and no difference, it just acts up occasionally, and is not predictable.  Hard to fix when I can't figure out what is causing it, or how to make it happen on demand.

A bad compensator (lost spring pressure) can cause backfiring...