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?...

[@RTZ-ho1lf]

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

[@soganoflarider]

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

[@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!

[@olcaptain4491]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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. 💪🏾

[@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!!!

[@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

[@dmedina6835]

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

[@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.

[@hbo6880]

Love your Indian Chief series!

[@stevenwright6573]

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

[@mrdelivery2492]

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

[@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]

🤦🏾‍♂️

[@daves4yah]

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

[@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!

[@hustle5150]

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

[@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?

[@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. 🤪

[@jowblow2171]

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

[@One_Less_Thing]

I am really enjoying this series. Nice work!

[@GuitarPlaya8807]

Happy that you have gone this far in repairing your bike

[@BrandonBicasso]

Getting it together day by day. 💪🏾

[@denniscliff478]

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

[@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

[@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!!

[@terrycavender]

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

[@MostlyInteresting]

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

[@petedavis1040]

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

[@jamesjefferson9628]

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

[@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

[@youknowit158]

I can't wait to see first ride!!

[@bios_75]

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

[@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. 😛

[@MostlyInteresting]

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

[@nop3noperson]

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

[@BrandonBicasso]

The work is the fun part.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@robjamescapel8891]

Getting there slowly but surely 👍👍

[@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 👏👏👌👍

[@tgwazu]

This is a happy video!! Loud is cool.

[@JaysonBucy]

Hell yeah man! That's awesome, congrats.

[@BrandonBicasso]

😎💪🏾

[@indiorider8539]

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

[@BackInTheSaddle]

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

[@KevInTheAlps]

Yay!!!!! Very loud music to my ears 😎

[@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!

[@sway0221]

Hell yes!!! Congratulations.

[@joemann3536]

She's ALIVE!!!

[@robertelliott5532]

Great way to get to know the 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!!!🤔

[@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. 🤣

[@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.

[@ecrusch]

You're making good progress, man.

[@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?

[@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?

[@chiefbd]

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

[@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 😂

[@Musicmaster908]

Brandon, you are having too much fun!😂

[@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.

[@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.

[@alexneudatchin2161]

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

[@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.

[@scoobydoobybluesvancampcru5158]

This series is so dope thanks Bro

[@BrandonBicasso]

Preciate that! 😁

[@chriskwakernaat2328]

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

[@kencolle1]

Awesome bro!! I love seeing this!😎

[@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

[@lenardsanmiguel8691]

Damm I'm hooked love the series!

[@BrandonBicasso]

Yeeesss!

[@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!

[@jasonshortphd]

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

[@nikosavusa8352]

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

[@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!🤔

[@kritiko]

you getting there!👊🏾

[@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.

[@hobomensmell]

I live for these vids!

[@marinehm]

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

[@BrandonBicasso]

Def coming along 💪🏾

[@ajohnson999]

Well done sir

[@blakelockhart7931]

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

[@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! 🤘🏽

[@Mackandal-]

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

[@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.

[@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. :/

[@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.

[@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

[@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🤣

[@rastroyfyah5630]

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

[@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.

[@dalekidd420]

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

[@78Outlaw]

Making good progress dude ..Beware those shorties might be leaning the bike out B 🤔

[@BrandonBicasso]

Def a possible.

[@gwaddles]

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

[@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. 🤓👍🏾

[@plmotoring]

Time to ride!!

[@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]

😁

[@ARagingRebel]

What battery and CCA did you use for it to work? Having the same issue on my shitty Polaris battery

[@BrandonBicasso]

I don’t remember the CCA but I think it had around 1000. It was used for an aftermarket sound system so more draw. I took the battery to auto zone and had them deep charge it over night. Sometimes the agm batteries will get too low on power and require a deep charge. I’d take it to a store and have it checked first and then if it comes back as good, have them charge it. It’s free to do both most of the time.