The Simple Reason My Cheap Indian Chief Wouldn't Start

[@BrandonBicasso]

Shout out to Gorilla Biker for the trouble shooting help! He has helped me numerous times including work on the M109R. kzbin.info

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Always happy to help man, and thank you so much for the shout out :)

[@BrandonBicasso]

Always Brother.

[@amjrpain919]

Starter relay?...

[@soganoflarider]

Congratulations on yet another small “VICTORY” while battling the rebuild my friend 👊😎👍

[@RTZ-ho1lf]

Dude, im hundreds of miles of away and just celebrated like a mad man, when she turned over and running! Congrats!!

[@h_meesh]

I had the same issue on my Mean Streak last year with the battery, tested it and it said pass. Found out it would hold the charge, but as soon as I started it.. would dip the voltage and not recover lol. Ended up have a couple dead cells. New battery and voila, was running great. A victory is a victory! One peice at a time lol, can't wait to see her rolling man

[@BrandonBicasso]

Exactly, one piece at a time!

[@mohawkdriver4155]

Buddy, you've solved the biggest problem, provided there aren't any 'Easter Eggs' hiding in the engine codes. Glad you got it started! Looking forward to additional progress vids. Good luck!

[@BrandonBicasso]

Ima smash those easter eggs!

[@thesethproject]

Congrats on the bike starting man! Really excited to see more!

[@DaemonWulf7]

hells yeah, lets go!! so happy to hear it, man. comin together already.

[@hbo6880]

Love your Indian Chief series!

[@daves4yah]

Happy for you Sir! One step closer....

[@linuxpyle]

You've got a runner!! I bought an AGM battery brand new from RevZilla for a 1600 Suzuki Marauder, and it was like your battery, it wasn't any good when I got it. Bought a multi-meter, tested it, saw if was low voltage, got another new battery and BAM problem solved! Nice work Sir!!!

[@mrdelivery2492]

GO BICASSO GO!!.... EYES ON YOU, BRO!

[@CactusJack252]

Battery was good until a load was put on it. One or more of the cells are bad. Glad it is at least running for you. Also, if the screen was there I'm sure it would have said the voltage was to low. But you can't tell when you don't have a screen. Keep the videos coming.

[@TZKGuy]

Awesome! Glad to see it wasn’t anything super complex keeping it from starting

[@ridehard4today]

As it is every Spring, I get restless to ride and find myself watching more motorcycle content. God bless ya and your willingness to learn! And for having the guts to share it with us! In recent years, I’ve been less willing to wrench. But it is rewarding when I can fix it myself! Recently, had troubleshoot the air ride on my bike. It didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked and there was some swearing… lol… but I did it! Just subscribed and look forward to following your progress. 👊

[@BrandonBicasso]

Getting in there to learn, it’s a lot better when issues pop up that you can fix yourself. 💪🏾

[@jowblow2171]

And it sounds so good, music to my ears brotha. Good job!

[@olcaptain4491]

Habor freight has battery testers with load testing for cheap. Always good to have one sitting around

[@hustle5150]

CONGRATS!!!!!! It sounds really good.

[@dmedina6835]

GET IT OUT!!! Hell yea !!!! Congratulations!!!🎊🍾🎈🎉

[@jvcoulter]

You misunderstand, Brandon: the battery only needs to crank the engine sufficiently to start. It has no role to “keep it running” as you state. As mentioned below, the alternator supplies power to the ignition circuit, lights, etc. after start. It was the clean fuel, no doubt, that eliminated the stalling after start. Love this series, keep it up!

[@BrandonBicasso]

Of course the alternator keeps it running, but how does that explain not being able to get the bike started again? I’m sure the gas was a placebo but I’d only know after putting that fuel back in the bike.

[@snowmanrainmaker]

Unfortunately these bikes won't run without the proper amperage up to par in the battery I found out the hard way

[@BloodPlusPwn]

If the battery isn't up to snuff it won't stay running.

[@thejohnnyraincloud4960]

Another step forward. Batteries are tricky and so are the maintainers. It may benefit you to get one maintainer that can manage multiple bikes (pending where you park them all). My maintainer has saved my battery on many occasions when I do not get to ride regularly. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@sahm1754]

Autozone only voltage tests the battery. I went through the same thing rebuilding a virago. I asked them to load test it but the guy there didn’t even know what that meant

[@BrandonBicasso]

🤦🏾‍♂️

[@denniscliff478]

Always love the videos man. As someone who likes to work on his own bike love the learning process.

[@One_Less_Thing]

I am really enjoying this series. Nice work!

[@williamrahm6887]

Agm or fiberglass mat batteries can show good but not be good had one say it was charged but the crank test failed good but bad if it makes sense

[@BrandonBicasso]

Absolutely makes sense. My first time learning what an AGM battery is. I know now!

[@stevenwright6573]

The heart of old girl runs strong! I love it when a plan comes together.

[@youknowit158]

I can't wait to see first ride!!

[@whatsstefon]

That battery could appear healthy, but maybe one of the cells has dropped. So it’ll still show a healthy voltage but drops while starting. You can test by connecting a multimeter once you get a new one to the battery terminals while starting. You’ll see the voltage drop while cranking and then rise to 14V or maybe a little over. Like 14.4V when the engine has started. Holler if you need a hand. I’m pretty savvy with electrical.

[@TeddCookerly]

One thing that I am thinking that offers concern and this might be a redundant point and you know this already. In neutral, there should be no spin on the back tire...meaning something in the clutch assembly is either stuck or broken. So, before running a spinning a tire on the HF lift (Which I fully admit, I have done) take a look and see if you can get that adjusted before it jumps off the lift. If you knew that I will shut up LMAO. You're killing it and I am stoked to watch this all go down!

[@BrandonBicasso]

It’s not broken. Both my V-Rod/M109R spin while running in neutral on the Jack. Someone mentioned the mechanical explanation for that on the previous video.

[@TeddCookerly]

@@BrandonBicasso Awesome! I didn't know that so you, my friend, have taught me something. I love that I don't know everything so I have something new to learn Thanks man YOU RULE!

[@chiefbd]

This is normal on many bikes. My Harley and all of my sportbikes do this. There is still a little resistance that will get the tire moving. Not enough to move it on the ground

[@ZildjianMan30]

@@chiefbd Is this why is feels a tad harder to walk the bike backwards while the engine is on, but with the engine off it's super smooth and easy?

[@tgwazu]

This is a happy video!! Loud is cool.

[@terrycavender]

Just like the Victory, the Indian is sensitive to voltage, apparently the battery tested good, but it wasn’t enough for the bike.

[@Dadoutdoors24]

Batteries can have full charge and not put out enough amps to power it. Had that happen on my Kawasaki and it was super frustrating! Congrats on the progress!!

[@petedavis1040]

That neighbor is a real one for sure, congratulations on another issue solved on the resurrection of the dark horse 🐎!

[@robjamescapel8891]

Getting there slowly but surely 👍👍

[@HARMARSCH2]

Brandon Bicasso, CCA on a Battery is Cold Cranking Amps **In case you didn’t know, we use that here in Canada especially for Winter time. The higher the CCA the easier it is to start in cold weather**.

[@BrandonBicasso]

I need those when I wake up in the morning. 😬

[@HARMARSCH2]

@@BrandonBicasso We all do. 🤪

[@TheGorillaBiker]

So good to hear it running man, can't wait to see that out on the road soon :D God damn those exhausts tho hahaha! So happy for you the motor and all it's essential bits are working!

[@indiorider8539]

👏 👏 👏 congrats on the big success! Keep at it. Hasta luego!

[@nop3noperson]

Man I'm loving this. Sorry you are doing all the work.

[@BrandonBicasso]

The work is the fun part.

[@GuitarPlaya8807]

Happy that you have gone this far in repairing your bike

[@BrandonBicasso]

Getting it together day by day. 💪🏾

[@JaysonBucy]

Hell yeah man! That's awesome, congrats.

[@BrandonBicasso]

😎💪🏾

[@jamesjefferson9628]

Man, look at B.B. get it in. .Love the fellowship and hard work . Waiting for the next fix. 9-life

[@Mr20west]

coming together Nicely .Its different when under a load you have to check the cranking amps cranking it up .aight im out dont forget to do a burn out

[@bios_75]

Glad you got her started. Sounds like a BEAST! Bet that'll turn some heads on the road...

[@sway0221]

Hell yes!!! Congratulations.

[@simonkennedy6116]

It's running rough, but it's running. I did once see someone complain about Polaris batteries but one random rant isn't enough to base an opinion. The alternator could also be a problem and a fluid flush might help

[@rhino2104]

I suspect the guy at Autozone didn't set the machine up properly to test that particular battery. I don't know about your Autozone, but the one near me is staffed by barely sentient potatoes.

[@BrandonBicasso]

Why they gotta be potatoes 😂 I had a good loaded potato last night too. 😛

[@thepriddybiker3226]

Hey man. This was very informative and I can relate a fair bit on the troubleshooting. Giving me some motivation to try my hand at troubleshooting bikes! Thanks man.

[@BrandonBicasso]

Sure thing!

[@MostlyInteresting]

Betting the battery is fairly ok, it just needs a long charge on a good charger.

[@spokes1355]

When checking the battery check it under load with a voltage meter. It will show you have a full charge but when you turn it over while reading I and the voltage drops under 9v or 8v it's bad. Without a load on it the battery will show full charge all day.

[@MostlyInteresting]

That little 4 amp smart charger at Harbor Freight is nice. Get one.

[@robertelliott5532]

Great way to get to know the bike.

[@KevInTheAlps]

Yay!!!!! Very loud music to my ears 😎

[@1050cc]

Had a feeling "in my water" 😁 it was battery not sure why but maybe all of the times I've thrashed an old bike until it started 😆 Nice job 👏👏👌👍

[@Malato12]

Ah the deafening sound of success!!! :D Many congrats :D and I am really glad that you do not have to have the screen! :D very nice

[@joemann3536]

She's ALIVE!!!

[@kencolle1]

Awesome bro!! I love seeing this!😎

[@ecrusch]

You're making good progress, man.

[@nikosavusa8352]

One Day ..she will be mine... love the Indian Chief ... thanks bro..

[@BackInTheSaddle]

Love this series. Makes me curious about having a project bike even though thats not in my wheelhouse. Could be fun.

[@scoobydoobybluesvancampcru5158]

This series is so dope thanks Bro

[@BrandonBicasso]

Preciate that! 😁

[@robertwatson39]

Hey Brandon, I've been watching your videos concerning this bike. With the bike going through all the trauma of it's accident having problems with your battery isn't surprising. The place you took the battery to to get it tested gave you the correct result of it working properly ( showing that the voltage is ok ). Any testing like that will only show you whether the battery is farked or not. It wont show you the condition of the battery under load. Now a bike battery like a car battery is manufactured to be in one position and that is upright ( the lean doesn't matter ) however when a bike or car is in an accident is a whole different story. Looking at this Indian and the condition it is in tells me that this bike could have/should have flipped over. Unlike the old style batteries where you had to top them up, these batteries are a sealed unit. So seeing how the plates are is impossible to see you have to treat it as farked. When your neighbour hooked up his starter box to the bike it was the starter box not the battery that started the bike. Personally I wouldn't have bought this wreck, but if someone put it in my lap my nature would try to get the bike going like your doing. My way of thinking is if the frame is straight along with the forks and that the engine looks to be in good condition externally I would think that you have 80% of a working machine, so the rest with time and mulla you can end up with a fully working bike.

[@jeremiahstar1713]

Man I am glad you got the bike started!!! But I think checking the clutch assembly and removing the valve cover to check some of the guts of the engine is a good idea.

[@snowmanrainmaker]

Based on past experience, if it's not broke don't fix it!!!🤔

[@hobomensmell]

I live for these vids!

[@timlong2417]

Bike sounds great. I would check the charging system while it's running. Should have at least 13.5 volts at the battery. Also suggest adding some techron to that gas to keep fuel system clean. Just my two cents.

[@snowmanrainmaker]

I had the same issue with my Indian Scout the battery tested good so I ended up taking it to the dealership and they put a new battery in it and I sure wished I would have done it myself

[@BrandonBicasso]

Yeah, been there. It’s a lesson learned, right?

[@walterramirez3287]

I’m telling you order that 500CA battery and you will be good to go😁I order mine online and took 3 days to get to my house. It comes with a report and fully charged. Another tip I got from a mechanic is not to leave the tender on once is green. If you don’t use the bike often plug it once a week.

[@kritiko]

you getting there!👊🏾

[@lenardsanmiguel8691]

Damm I'm hooked love the series!

[@BrandonBicasso]

Yeeesss!

[@ajohnson999]

Well done sir

[@Musicmaster908]

Brandon, you are having too much fun!😂

[@GingersKing]

Get yourself one of those tiny portable Li-On jump starters. Those will start anything right away plus they double as a huge power bank for charging other things.

[@BrandonBicasso]

Funny thing is, I had one before I moved and lost it. 🤣

[@chiefbd]

It's aliveeeeeee, in my Frankenstein voice lol. Congrats bro.

[@ronbailey8370]

Bro I can't wait for you to get a new tank. I'm sick of looking at that wrecked one. Your going too have a sick bike, when you put it all back together. Peace..

[@BrandonBicasso]

Lol, don't like the Indian Chief Hulk smashed edition?

[@Photocrimes_TheOriginal]

Bro, AGM batteries can run down to less than 3v and still test 100% but is under the threshold for most chargers to charge it. You need a charger with a AGM mode. Another trick is to hook a good battery up in parallel to fool the charger into charging it. There is a good chance your AGM battery is just fine but dead.

[@BrandonBicasso]

Yeah, I knew about the jump trick to charge it, but meh... I'll just get another.

[@Photocrimes_TheOriginal]

@@BrandonBicassounderstood. It was just so new I was betting it was OK. I've gone to the lightweight lithium batteries but they have quirks of their own, starts on cold days get scetchy 😂

[@alexneudatchin2161]

multimeter should support trms. all of them has temp probe also

[@blakelockhart7931]

Brandon: "For starters..." Me: "Nice pun."

[@chriskwakernaat2328]

they probably didnt do a load test on the battery, local battery seller here does do that though.

[@jasonshortphd]

If you buy a spare battery get a Lithium one that contains a jumper backup (Anti Gravity is one brand).

[@marinehm]

Aha!!!! Success! Very nice. Good to see things coming along. Going to Az now?

[@BrandonBicasso]

Def coming along 💪🏾

[@chrishunter5041]

Next time you start it "and you have a tester" check the alternator output to the battery "should be around 14.3-5"

[@BrandonBicasso]

Great idea.

[@justin.s9783]

whats the ride it in Mexico thing about? maybe i missed that part of the plan. glad you got it started. testers and multi meters can go bad. good vid

[@BrandonBicasso]

It's a KZbin video evidence law thing in the car/bike world.

[@PDYALL]

Love seeing projects that start coming together. Love that chief but it’s a bit out of the budget I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on a gunner this spring watched your videos and I’m really starting to like that bike now time to find one to test ride

[@BrandonBicasso]

Definitely get a ride on one!

[@RanGer-498]

Omg i just won a bet with my friend..i told him i bet the cca on the battery is shot. The battery can take a charge and read its good but the cca part of the battery is damaged causing the bike or even a car to not to turn over..he said no way. Well i guess i get free lunch for a week. Glad you sorted this problem out.

[@BrandonBicasso]

Get the most expensive meal on the menu. 😂

[@RanGer-498]

@@BrandonBicasso yes🤣

[@ramgarcia2803]

It sounds really good. But why does the starter hesitate when you try to start the bike?

[@BrandonBicasso]

Mm, not sure what you mean. Could be that it sat and hasn't really run in awhile.

[@snowmanrainmaker]

I've been thinking about that gas tank I think there's some people out there that can pull that dent out of it or push it out!🤔

[@gwaddles]

Outstanding. You know that joker is going to be a beast!

[@sixthdaymistake]

i work at autozone...and a battery will test good but have a dead cell...the remaining 2 cell are fully charged and healthy which gives a passing test

[@BrandonBicasso]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@sixthdaymistake]

@@BrandonBicasso no problem

[@TeddCookerly]

Dude that is good to know, I fucking love my AZ and the squad there is awesome. Never steered me wrong! Thanks for what you do man

[@sixthdaymistake]

@@TeddCookerly no problem we do the best we can

[@ANONYMOUSBIKERUSA]

what ??????? i can't hear you lol good lawd that's loud lmao congrats to you man! what a feeling to get it running ! you da man! 🤘🏽

[@MostlyInteresting]

200 to 300 Cold Cranking Amps is not a ton of difference in this case. Indoors and the batteries should both be charged right?

[@BrandonBicasso]

Yep. That 109 battery wouldn’t start it tho. :/

[@Mackandal-]

Protect your ears my Brother, great project and I'm learning from you too 💯

[@lifeliners1]

Auto zone does not put enough load on the battery to test it ,I had the same issue with my car battery tested by auto zone then I went to my mechanic and he put a bigger load a d he told me that the battery is no good

[@abeastrules]

The battery was good enough to start the bike but when the power draw went up the battery drained below what was needed to keep the bike running. Basically that batter is no good.

[@plmotoring]

Time to ride!!

[@pauljirinec2772]

AGM batteries are like that. They will test out fine but put it under a load and it folds up like a wet noodle.

[@goldenrod84]

What I learned was auto zone still TRASH. I stopped shopping there years ago because I literally has an issue everytime I would buy something from there. They always gave me the wrong information. Glad to see nothing has changed 🙂

[@Valorcycle]

Great video and love the background music. Feel free to ignore this question if it is a sensitive topic, what is the circular-ish scar on your shoulder? Was that from your accident a while ago?

[@BrandonBicasso]

No need! Yes, that is from my Scout Bobber accident. I’m wearing the same shirt I wrecked with in the video. 🤓👍🏾

[@dalekidd420]

I think those crappy straight pipes just rose a notch or two on the replacement priority list...

[@rastroyfyah5630]

Yeaaaaah from all the kids on the playground😜😄🤪😆😁😁👍🏿👍🏿

[@thecoreelementsmoto]

Looking good man! you got new shocks for the rear?

[@BrandonBicasso]

Not yet. Still determining what route I wanna go. Whether stock height or raised a few inches.

[@thecoreelementsmoto]

@@BrandonBicasso ah cool. Exciting watching it come together!

[@saliston]

Those pipes gotta go but shes ALIVE!!!!!

[@kendil22]

vroom vroom... now fix the exhaust :) The thing you might want to look at is once the bike is started shouldn't it be running off the alternator instead of the battery?

[@BrandonBicasso]

😁