So its a 2011, 883 with the 1200 kit and strait pipes. I just got the bike so I don't know anything about Harley's. when i try to start her it will turn over fine, it will start and idle (very slow idle) for a very short period and then die. sometimes when it dies it will backfire out the exhaust or carb. the backfire isn't often but it dose do it sometimes. I have been told before that harleys do not start in cold weather very well at all (it was 25-30 degrees) but that is just what iv been told. i am also wondering if the carb was re-jetted properly or not. I don know. how do i even know it is the stock carb?

 

first off if its 2011 then its fuel-injected, the next question i would have is, is does the bike have a V&H fuelpak or PV... then i would be looking at the mapping on the fuel-injection... and double check just exactly what it has for add-ons and upgrades and go from there

 

check for intake and exhaust leaks, then check to make sure all connectioons are tight and you might need a ecm re-map or download, or a fuel managment packaged added to it

 

it has a carb. I think the owner switched it to a carb. the bike title says 2011.

 

Did he install an enrichener system (choke)? Pull the **** out and don't twist the throttle then try starting. Maybe you can find a owner's manual for an older Sporster w/carb for starting in cold weather.

 

Heres how i start my carbd bikes. 1. Set choke/enrichner full out 2.turn fuel pet **** on 3. 1 or 2 twists of the throttle. 4 hit the start button. One it starts let it idle a few secs. Then push choke in about halfway for about 20 secs. Then push choke in all the way. Use throttle lock to keep rpms up till its warm. Then it should idle ok until its fully at temp. Hope this helps.

 

I had the same issue with a 2007 Sportster and I put some xieds on from nightrider.com and they took care of the running issue.

 

thanks guys. ill give your ideas a shot. I know every bike has a particular way it likes to start, I just wasn't sure if they a normally hard to start in very could dry weather. my dirt bikes will start in any weather so this is a whole new world for me.

it is to friken cool now and for the next few days to even think about starting it. ill have to wait.

thanks

 

If someone took a 2011 883 and switched it to a carb they did a lot of work and spent some cash.
There is a good chance they took some shortcuts and flat messed it up.
The enricher adds fuel unlike a choke that chocks off air.
If it were just a madder of to lean then the enricher would need to be left on longer.

 

with it being as cold as you say, i wouldn't push the choke in so early. I'd keep it on at least half choke after it starts for 3 minutes.