Push starting a Nomad?

dantama · 05-14-2009, 09:46 AM

I've read various threads that allude to not being able to push start a Nomad.

On my 1500 Nomad I push started it a few times. Is the 1600 different?

I figured I could push start my 1600 if I ever needed to, but now I'm wondering. Can it be done?

audiogooroo · 05-14-2009, 10:01 AM

I've wondered about that too Dan. I've push started my 1500 several times quite easily. Is there something different about the clutch in a 1600?

waterman · 05-14-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

I've wondered about that too Dan. I've push started my 1500 several times quite easily. Is there something different about the clutch in a 1600?

Dan and Daryl,

I think the main difference is the fact that it is fuel injected. Dan, I know that you had a 99 Nomad and that was carb'd but I don't know of the other one you had. I think that there are too many electronics that if you have a dead battery that it won't start with a push start.

dank · 05-14-2009, 11:17 AM

I tried it a couple years ago on a pretty decent, but fairly short, about 150 ft long, hill. Couldn't get the electrical system up and pressurized before it slowed and stopped. Tried three times, but didn't have the energy to push it up a fourth time, so I stopped trying. I would have easily have started an older carbureted bike or car. So I can't say it is impossible, but it isn't easy and must take a long, steep hill if it can be done. Obviously part of the problem is that one only tries this when the battery is DEAD. (You can assume that I ran mine down on purpose using BD's recently reported battery draining technique just so I could try push starting it.

)

cactusjack · 05-14-2009, 11:19 AM

Does the 1500 have the slipper clutch? I have heard that's why you can't push start a Nomad. I have tried rolling it down a long hill and could compression start mine. Forget about even trying to push it and jump on. I tried that once when my battery went dead. Damn near dropped it.

dantama · 05-14-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

I've wondered about that too Dan. I've push started my 1500 several times quite easily. Is there something different about the clutch in a 1600?

Dan and Daryl,

I think the main difference is the fact that it is fuel injected. Dan, I know that you had a 99 Nomad and that was carb'd but I don't know of the other one you had. I think that there are too many electronics that if you have a dead battery that it won't start with a push start.

I hadn't considered that angle. The times I push started one were all on a carb'd Nomad.

**Kawhead** · 05-14-2009, 11:51 AM

Cain't be did! I had three big walrus Paul Tuttle Sr. look alike Harley riders who thought it would be a cinch to push the "Rice Burner" off for the wuss.

Didn't happen.

bear · 05-14-2009, 12:30 PM

If the battery is low the injectors won't fire. No amount of pushing will cause the injectors to put fuel in the cylinder. The ECM needs a minimum voltage to operate the ignition system and without it all you have is one large and very heavy two wheel skate board! (FI systems only)

audiogooroo · 05-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

I've wondered about that too Dan. I've push started my 1500 several times quite easily. Is there something different about the clutch in a 1600?

Dan and Daryl,

I think the main difference is the fact that it is fuel injected. Dan, I know that you had a 99 Nomad and that was carb'd but I don't know of the other one you had. I think that there are too many electronics that if you have a dead battery that it won't start with a push start.

Ah! That makes sense.
Gotta love old school! :)

phenrichs · 05-14-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear - Member 00013

If the battery is low the injectors won't fire. No amount of pushing will cause the injectors to put fuel in the cylinder. The ECM needs a minimum voltage to operate the ignition system and without it all you have is one large and very heavy two wheel skate board! (FI systems only)

Exactly right my friend. If you got juice but a bad starter you are ok for push but not the other way around.

coon · 05-14-2009, 02:46 PM

Me and Trip push started My 2004 1600 Classic last fall. We had met on a Lowe's parking lot to wait for the rest of the group. I rode up and while still in gear put the kick stand down which killed the engine. I forgot to turn the key off and after a while, 30 min. or so, and after every one arrived tried to start the bike and no go. On almost flat surface with Trip pushing it started right up after short push. The battery was not dead flat but did not have enough to turn over the engine.

blowndodge · 05-14-2009, 03:56 PM

You can't push start a 1600 Nomad unless you've put in Judges washers. It's a slipper clutch by design and thats why you can downshift faster than lightening and not bark the rear tire. Judges washers eliminate this "slipper" design for more grip.

**ringadingh** · 05-14-2009, 07:25 PM

I once tried to bump start it, and it didn't work for me either. Now I have the Judges washers installed, I may try again someday just to see if it works.

dantama · 05-14-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

You can't push start a 1600 Nomad unless you've put in Judges washers. It's a slipper clutch by design and thats why you can downshift faster than lightening and not bark the rear tire. Judges washers eliminate this "slipper" design for more grip.

BD, so is the clutch on the 1600 a different design than the 1500?

**ringadingh** · 05-14-2009, 08:12 PM

The clutches are the same, but the peice that pushes on the spring is different than a 1500.

05-14-2009, 09:46 AM	#1
dantama Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 0	Push starting a Nomad? I've read various threads that allude to not being able to push start a Nomad. On my 1500 Nomad I push started it a few times. Is the 1600 different? I figured I could push start my 1600 if I ever needed to, but now I'm wondering. Can it be done? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-14-2009, 10:01 AM	#2
audiogooroo Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado/Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,390	Push starting a Nomad? I've wondered about that too Dan. I've push started my 1500 several times quite easily. Is there something different about the clutch in a 1600? __________________ Audiogooroo - Daryl Porter Colorado Springs, CO VBA #248 VROC #17261 1999 Grn/Grn Nomad
	0

05-14-2009, 11:17 AM	#4
dank Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,595	Push starting a Nomad? I tried it a couple years ago on a pretty decent, but fairly short, about 150 ft long, hill. Couldn't get the electrical system up and pressurized before it slowed and stopped. Tried three times, but didn't have the energy to push it up a fourth time, so I stopped trying. I would have easily have started an older carbureted bike or car. So I can't say it is impossible, but it isn't easy and must take a long, steep hill if it can be done. Obviously part of the problem is that one only tries this when the battery is DEAD. (You can assume that I ran mine down on purpose using BD's recently reported battery draining technique just so I could try push starting it. ) __________________ Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts.
	0

05-14-2009, 11:19 AM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Push starting a Nomad? Does the 1500 have the slipper clutch? I have heard that's why you can't push start a Nomad. I have tried rolling it down a long hill and could compression start mine. Forget about even trying to push it and jump on. I tried that once when my battery went dead. Damn near dropped it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-14-2009, 11:51 AM	#7
Kawhead Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 6th Floor up at the The Nervous Hospital up in East Central State, NC Posts: 7,454	Push starting a Nomad? Cain't be did! I had three big walrus Paul Tuttle Sr. look alike Harley riders who thought it would be a cinch to push the "Rice Burner" off for the wuss. Didn't happen. __________________ ??-Mar.2,2012 "Rocky" My Beloved Dog RIP Mike Tripp VBA#767 '96 800 Vulcan Classic 06 1600 Nomad 07 1600 Nomad "The shoes you buy at the Salvation Army is already been broke in"- Aunt Kawhead
	0

05-14-2009, 12:30 PM	#8
bear Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 322	Push starting a Nomad? If the battery is low the injectors won't fire. No amount of pushing will cause the injectors to put fuel in the cylinder. The ECM needs a minimum voltage to operate the ignition system and without it all you have is one large and very heavy two wheel skate board! (FI systems only)
	0

05-14-2009, 02:46 PM	#11
coon Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hideaway, TX Posts: 62	Push starting a Nomad? Me and Trip push started My 2004 1600 Classic last fall. We had met on a Lowe's parking lot to wait for the rest of the group. I rode up and while still in gear put the kick stand down which killed the engine. I forgot to turn the key off and after a while, 30 min. or so, and after every one arrived tried to start the bike and no go. On almost flat surface with Trip pushing it started right up after short push. The battery was not dead flat but did not have enough to turn over the engine.
	0

05-14-2009, 03:56 PM	#12
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Push starting a Nomad? You can't push start a 1600 Nomad unless you've put in Judges washers. It's a slipper clutch by design and thats why you can downshift faster than lightening and not bark the rear tire. Judges washers eliminate this "slipper" design for more grip. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

05-14-2009, 07:25 PM	#13
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Push starting a Nomad? I once tried to bump start it, and it didn't work for me either. Now I have the Judges washers installed, I may try again someday just to see if it works. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

05-14-2009, 08:12 PM	#15
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Push starting a Nomad? The clutches are the same, but the peice that pushes on the spring is different than a 1500. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
03' 1500 FI Nomad starting problem	dgconstable	1500 & 1600 Nomad	8	07-08-2011 05:44 PM
Nomad not starting	operater	1500 & 1600 Nomad	18	06-27-2011 12:36 PM
99 Nomad hard starting cold weather	chukzelda	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	3	10-05-2010 09:07 AM
starting nomad 1500	mikeyger	1500 & 1600 Nomad	6	09-27-2010 07:58 AM
1500 nomad hard starting	sterlingmarlin30	1500 & 1600 Nomad	5	05-11-2010 06:58 PM