I was on a Sunday ride today and my bike started running rough.Stop for a break and started it up and it backfired.Started it again and it started but would not idle,but would run at about half throttle to full, but not good. Rode it about a mile to see if it might clear out,no luck,so I cut it off.
Two riders stopped by to help and I started the bike up and there is a definite leaking/air shooh sound near the front.They seemed very knowledgable and decided that it was a blown head gasket.The bike is a 2000 heritage with only 10,000 miles,so I know Harley is not going to help.
What do some of you wrenches think?Any thoughts would help me diagnos my problem.
This is my first Harley,been riding all kinds of Hondas for years and have never been stranded.I did all the work on my bikes,but I am not familiar with the Harley,yet.
I use to laugh at the harleys on the side of the road while I went quietly by on my Honda.Now I am one of them,but I still like my Harley.
There is no bike nicer looking than a Harley.
Jim

 

Do a leak down test. It will tell you exactly where the loss of compression exits. Let us know what you find!

 

How do I do a leak down test?
Jim

 

Do you have a compression gauge? You can take the valve off the compression tester hose, apply light shop air pressure into each cylinder and watch for leak, make sure the cylinder you test is on top dead center. If you don't have the tool, have an indy to do it.

 

My blown head gasket turned out to be the carb loose.In fact when the air cleaner was pulled the carb fell off.Paid a shop about 6 weeks ago to change the main jet.They didn't get the gasket back in correctly and I guess it worked itself loose.
Jim

 

In an obtuse way you got lucky. Now if the main jet shop makes it good, all the better.