2004 Ridgeback died on the road yesterday

Ray

Well-Known Member
It has barely 19K on it. I am retired so I have time to ride now on back country roads 30 ~ 40 mph. Yesterday I took my normal route to get away from traffic and on my way home, about 30 miles out just easing along when I felt it like quit pulling, even though I was going slow I could feel it. A second or two later it fired up again, lights on the speedometer in and out as this was happening. Finally it quit all together I eased to the side of the road in the safest place I could get too. After a few minutes it cranked like normal, but only run a few seconds, shut down. I called for a trailer but it is 30 miles away. After sitting there I tried it again it would start then shut off. I got it to a place about 200 yards away where it would be safer to load, I pushed it. :) Sit there a bit, it started I took off only to get a little past where I was before, but a good place to get it loaded up, in downhill driveway to a field. Got it loaded and got it home after dark when I got home. I went out this AM put the key in it, the speedometer flashed like normal. The terminals are clean, almost new battery, It don't see anything weird or out of place. It has not been wet at all in years, always covered up in the garage. Even after sitting sometimes for a long time it fires up like I rode it yesterday. I replaced the Ehc many years ago right after getting it, at that time it would not do anything, so at least there is some things working this time. It did not want to crank this AM sitting on the trailer, covered up, hooked to my truck. Whatever it is I want to fix it right, and make it dependable, cause when it is running like normal it is too much fun. You all know it! Pushing it let's say, "Sucks!" any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated, I am on a retirement budget now, fixed income, not I'll work overtime to make it up "Honey" budget I am right outside Nashville, Tennessee! Suggestions Please!
 

Big dog papa

Active Member
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
Sounds like you have spark because it will crank then shut down. Have you checked to make sure a good supply of fuel is getting to the cylinders?
 
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HMAN

I just like my Freedom
It has barely 19K on it. I am retired so I have time to ride now on back country roads 30 ~ 40 mph. Yesterday I took my normal route to get away from traffic and on my way home, about 30 miles out just easing along when I felt it like quit pulling, even though I was going slow I could feel it. A second or two later it fired up again, lights on the speedometer in and out as this was happening. Finally it quit all together I eased to the side of the road in the safest place I could get too. After a few minutes it cranked like normal, but only run a few seconds, shut down. I called for a trailer but it is 30 miles away. After sitting there I tried it again it would start then shut off. I got it to a place about 200 yards away where it would be safer to load, I pushed it. :) Sit there a bit, it started I took off only to get a little past where I was before, but a good place to get it loaded up, in downhill driveway to a field. Got it loaded and got it home after dark when I got home. I went out this AM put the key in it, the speedometer flashed like normal. The terminals are clean, almost new battery, It don't see anything weird or out of place. It has not been wet at all in years, always covered up in the garage. Even after sitting sometimes for a long time it fires up like I rode it yesterday. I replaced the Ehc many years ago right after getting it, at that time it would not do anything, so at least there is some things working this time. It did not want to crank this AM sitting on the trailer, covered up, hooked to my truck. Whatever it is I want to fix it right, and make it dependable, cause when it is running like normal it is too much fun. You all know it! Pushing it let's say, "Sucks!" any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated, I am on a retirement budget now, fixed income, not I'll work overtime to make it up "Honey" budget I am right outside Nashville, Tennessee! Suggestions Please!
If you cant get it figured, trailer it to Camden and have Knothead work his magic. He is trustworthy and knowledgable. Test the cam sensor just for grins n giggles. They get hot n tend to fail.
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
Sounds like you have spark because it will crank then shut down. Have you checked to make sure a good supply of fuel is getting to the cylinders?
It will crank after it sit a while and hitting the start button a few times, sometimes just waiting, and trying again. This Am it did not seem to want to crank, and I did not try to overly jack with it, and get frustrated.
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
If you cant get it figured, trailer it to Camden and have Knothead work his magic. He is trustworthy and knowledgable. Test the cam sensor just for grins n giggles. They get hot n tend to fail.
Let me see, My wife has a couple Dr appointments sometime this week. I know Camden , I have family, most of them on the outskirts, and it would be a cool to get to meet Knothead too. I would trust him to look at it too. It is sitting on the trailer now cover up. I'll check back when I talk to my wife, she likes to be called my boss! Yes maam, No maam! 46 years a great woman!
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
Supporting Member
Like Hman said you can test the cam sensor to see if its getting hot...also what ehc does it have on it now cause i saw you said you changed it.

But if you dont want to mess with it i would be honored to fix the bike for you...im kinda a 04 ridgeback fan as i have 2 of them lol...but in seriousness i would be glad to fix you up and make you bike trouble free as i can make it...my cell phone is 731 441 9806...fell free to call me or text when you get some time
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
Let me see, My wife has a couple Dr appointments sometime this week. I know Camden , I have family, most of them on the outskirts, and it would be a cool to get to meet Knothead too. I would trust him to look at it too. It is sitting on the trailer now cover up. I'll check back when I talk to my wife, she likes to be called my boss! Yes maam, No maam! 46 years a great woman!
I can bring it to Camden
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
Just talked to Ray on the phone...what a small world...come to find out my boss for 30 years is his uncle lol...

Ray will be bringing his bike here tomorrow for me to take a look at it...hopefully his bike want need much and i can get him back on the road really quick
Headed to Camden early in the Am to see Knothead. It is really cool my uncle used to be his boss.. :) Thank you all for your help!
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
Supporting Member
Ray made his way down here to deliver his beautiful 04 Ridgeback..we got it unloaded and as Ray stated the bike was dead and wouldnt offer to do anything...so i did the testing i wanted to do and in less than 10 mins i had the bike up and running...Ray still left the bike for me to do some work on it...i will get him fixed up pretty quick hopefully
 

chubs

Guru
Ray made his way down here to deliver his beautiful 04 Ridgeback..we got it unloaded and as Ray stated the bike was dead and wouldnt offer to do anything...so i did the testing i wanted to do and in less than 10 mins i had the bike up and running...Ray still left the bike for me to do some work on it...i will get him fixed up pretty quick hopefully
What did you find to get it going?
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
Supporting Member
Gut it! Complete rewire with no brain.
No need in that the wiring is fine, it could stand to be bigger wire without a doubt, but other than that the wiring is fine in these bikes..the stock ehc and wireplus system is and was the problem...also the way they wired the voltage regulator with a circuit breaker was dumb without a doubt..all it does is reset itself and pop reset itself again and pop till it either takes out the battery and ehc or both...fuse will.show a problem before it becomes a big problem
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
Supporting Member
What a small world Knot! Just a awesome deal knowing he was just a short trip away & able to get it to you! He will have just made a friend for life I do believe. God Bless!
:chopper:
Ray is a good guy forsure...funny we was talking yesterday and he said he was kin to some folks and the first name i brought up was his uncle, my old boss that retired 2 years ago.
 
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