Recent Posts

21

Technical Resource Discussion / Ol Smokey

« Last post by franknsr on September 27, 2025, 04:41:13 PM »

On Saturdays ride in the Dells, someone told my wife that my bike was smoking like a Rastafarian. The bike runs great but has a history of oil consumption, so here we go.
Finally had a chance to look into this a little deeper and I have some data, but don't trust the guy who took the reading, so I'm looking for a second opinion.

Pulled the plugs and both looked black, so they were definitely burning some oil, and its not the good midnight stuff.
Did a compression test, engine cold, throttle wide open, front cyl was 115 psi, rear was 113.
Put a couple ounces of oil in each cylinder and the front went to 162psi and the rear went to 232.
Spec for the bike is 185 to 205.
Based on that I think both cylinders need to be serviced, and there is possibly and issue with the front head/valves. About 100 years ago in auto shop, Mr Ward told I could check the sealing quality of valves by removing the head and turning it upside down on the bench and fill the head with gas and see if it leaks out. Is that still an acceptable practice?

After all that rambling I'll just add that I'm not afraid to attempt anything but have only rebuild a few engines in my time so I'd appreciate any input.
Thanks
Frank

22

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by franknsr on September 27, 2025, 04:11:08 PM »

Hey Viking, glad to see you have a couple of the best minds in the community helping you on this for you, and don't let Bruce fool you, he is the OG of Excelsior Henderson wold and we pretty much do what he says. ;-)

The only thing I'll add is that is you do have a basic OBD scanner and can pull codes like Donkey says, you can look them up in the "almost finished" service manual that is available under the tech section of this site.

Welcome to the fun and let us know how you make out and how we can help.

Frank

23

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by Donkey Hotey on September 24, 2025, 01:22:23 PM »

The lights on most vehicles come on like that every time you switch on the key. That's to show you that the bulb isn't burned out. Once the engine starts, the lights should go off.

The exception in your case would be when removing the battery. If you disconnect the battery, the computer will set a code that the system had low voltage. It will self-clear that code after a few rides and the light will go off. Maybe that was on and confused you?

If you want to see the code or manually reset it after changing a battery for example: the system uses a standard, OBD2 reader, just like any modern car. The connector is under the seat. You can connect to it, read codes and clear codes. Better readers will even let you read current values of the engine sensors like temperature, throttle position, RPM, etc.

Welcome to the forum.

24

General Discussion Similar to Facebook / Re: Looking for former biker friends of my grandfather "Panhead Dave"

« Last post by wytfut on September 24, 2025, 09:19:21 AM »

I'm sorry the number is disappointing.
 How'd facebook do for you with responses?
As you can appreciate, there is no way to predict responses with members that have passed on. Everyone responds differently ...

I hope nothing but the best for you
Bruce

25

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by wytfut on September 24, 2025, 09:13:19 AM »

Ok... I think I've got it now....
I have a heck of time keeping up with tech at 72 and computers also... I may appear as a guru, but I'm as simple as it gets. The struggle is daily...

If that lite goes out, after starting ..... that's a good thing. If it stays on, there is a problem, as in its throwing a code. It should come on everytime you start it, as a self test, so you know it works. then go out once running. Your Picture did come thru..... I have yet to figure out how to post pictures.... have only got a few posted on here. For what ever reason this site doesn't like my pictures.

As for youtube.... costs nothing to join youtube. You may get notifications via email about channels you like here and there. Other than that its simple enough.
I'm glad you enjoyed my videos. I'm no wizard, but I do care that these bikes need to be kept running. And these are how I do it. As with a lot of mechanical processes, there are more than one way to skin a cat.

feel free to contact me anytime. I thrive to help owners out. this is a wonderful community where I have developed friends from all over the world.

Again welcome...
Bruce

26

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by 69Viking on September 23, 2025, 09:17:43 PM »

I don?t know if I?m doing this right but I?m trying to attach a picture of what I?m talking about

27

General Discussion Similar to Facebook / Re: Looking for former biker friends of my grandfather "Panhead Dave"

« Last post by Gemy on September 23, 2025, 06:07:43 PM »

Man 741 views and only a few replies?    buuummer

28

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by 69Viking on September 23, 2025, 11:18:30 AM »

Thank you very much for The response. I have watched a few of your YouTube videos. I recognize the name hopefully it?s the same person. I took a screenshot of a seat that you have on one of your Henderson?s. I don?t really do social media so I don?t have a YouTube account so I couldn?t ask you where you got it anyways the question I was asking is from what I understand the motor emblem light it?s yellow. It?s on the left bottom side under the speedometer. I was told it was one of the lights that stays on while the bike is running all of my other lights go out like they?re supposed to after I start the engine I bought the bike from my brother that just so happens to live in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. and he was the one that informed me about the light. I asked him if he ever had issues with the light and he said no. The light itself looks like a V twin engine if that helps.

29

General Discussion Similar to Facebook / Re: Stock Air Cleaner cover

« Last post by wytfut on September 23, 2025, 10:26:16 AM »

Frank, my Nephew Devin and I struck a deal with Frank...
He now has a OEM air filter cover

30

Technical Resource Discussion / Re: Motor light shuts off after starting the engine

« Last post by wytfut on September 23, 2025, 10:24:58 AM »

Well first up .... welcome to X world 69!!
The idiot lite should come on, everytime when starting..... as a test. If I remember a couple others should too. And then go out once started.
There is a "check engine lite" which I think is what you are refering to (looks like an oil can??). There is also a yellow or red "battery" lite that also should go out immediately once started.

I don't know how old your battery was when it failed. But I can give you directions for testing the charging system. I'm seeing normal battery life with OEM style batteries between 5-10 years. Of course there are extreme examples.

Test your volt regulator.... get to your battery or smart charger connection (if you have one). Start the bike, and put a volt meter on the battery/smart charger connection. Crank over to DC volts on your meter. It should read at minimum, 12.7 volts... I'd prefer 13 volts. Rev briefly if needed.
If it isn't reading that high, we'll need to test stator next.
Down by the toe shifter inside the frame rails is the volt regulator, an electrical looking device mounted on the engine case. There will be 2 connectors, one goes to battery (red and black wires) and other goes to stator (alternator, 3 black wires). Unhook the stator connector. Put your volt meter probes in ANY 2 of the 3 slots from the stator (NOT THE REGULATOR END). Start bike, and TURN your volt meter to AC volts. With roughly 2000 rpm's it should be reading 50 volts ac on ANY 2 of the 3 plugs/holes/slots. Test all 3 slots with each other. All 3 phases have to be charging 50 volts ac.
If this test shows 50 volts ac, at all 3 places, your stator is GOOD. And you'll only need to replace the volt regulator (they are pretty bullet proof, so I'd doubt it will be the regulator, but we have to prove that it isn't in trouble).
If you aren't getting 50 volts ac on all 3 phases of the stator, it is burned up (or possibly wire issue from the stator to the regulator, doubtful). And you'll need to replace it.
Don't think your X a being a special case burning up the stator. Its fairly common, especially now with the age of our bikes.
I'm part of a small group in the community that believes our stator issue is due to the "shunt type" voltage regulator and the heat it creates in operation.  Here on this site without much "searching", you can find out how to replace your volt regulator with a "shuntless" system, for a reasonable price.
I can talk you thru it here, how to replace your stator, or you can visit my youtube channel, and watch how its done.
"Grandpa Grumpy Pants X World". There are also other X owners on youtube replacing stators, if you need variety (automotive villiany, 2 cool wheels, superX400).
Lemme know how you want to do it..... Greg or I are both willing to help.
Bruce Whitefoot
AKA Grandpa Grumpy Pants
flatlandersupportingXworld