Just purchased an 2000 FXDWG with 14000 actual miles. The previous owner let the bike sit up for a year without draining or treating the gas. The bike will not idle without the choke partially out, and it backfires a little at around 40 mph. Question. Should I run carb cleaner and run for a while to see if it improves, or let a mechanic take a look first. If a carb cleaner is ok, what kind do you recommend. The bike has carbs, not fuel injection. Thanks

 

Welcome to the Forum.

Re: carb question, couple of things you might want to check -
1) carb needs to be drained, cleaned, and rebuilt
2) carb-to-manifold, manifold-to-head seals leaking and need replacement

Hope you find the problem.
~

 

+1 on the rebuild. Simple enough to do and CV Performance makes a good kit (they include several jets). I recommend getting the EZ idle adjust screw. Replace your plugs while you are at it for the peace of mind.

Did your bike backfire or was it more of a throttle pop?

 

It was a throttle pop. I'm having a guy look at it and the first check will be the carb to manifold seals. Seemed to run a little better on the trip to the shop but still needed the choke pulled half way out.