One of my riding buddies has a 1988 883 Sportie and lately it has been backfiring and fouling plugs (?). Today we had to take it back home only after going about 5 miles because it was backfiring repeatedly. Her mechanic has told her that it is a problem caused by the plugs fouling out, but the plugs do not look bad at all.

I don't proclaim to be a mechanic, but something is not right here. I've tried to get her to take it elsewhere, but her mechanic is also her friend - so that's out. A new carb was put on last December and the bike has run fine until recently.

Anyone have any ideas. The plugs look good to me. They are dry and are not black (more of a gray/brown color). The bike runs smoothly when it ain't backfiring....

 

Still sounds like it's fuel related.

 

there is no TPS or CPS or anything, i have the same bike.

replace your VOES and coil, check the whole ignition system.

 

Joseph and I have narrowed it down for ya, eh?

 

What the heck is a TPS and a CPS and a VOES..I got the coil.....

Schum - I'm gonna hang in there on this like a hair in a biscuit.

I appreciate all responses. Thanks guys

 

V.O.E.S. = Vaccuum Operated Electric Switch.

It's attached to the back of your carb, and there's also a little line that hooks up to the petcock.

I'd also check the coil out as recommended above, and have the bike re-tuned. I re-tune every 3 or 4 months or at the start of any new season...it's a carb...it doesn't read the weather like fuel-infection does.

Oh and BTW...the plugs should be a nice CHOCOLATE color if they're burning right...so if they're a nice, even brown, I'd say they're NOT fouling on her and her "mechanic" (which - he calls himself, I'm guessing) is in fact retarded, and she needs a new one of those, too..

 

has she put those head bolt covers on her scoot? I had the same problem with my sportster, turned out the head bolt covers were causing the spark to jump.