Hi guys....i just bought my first iron a couple of months back..a sporty 1200 c 2006...what a great bike, lots of power...bike runs great in every way...but what worried me when i first got it..was you have to go a few blocks to get it to run any where near descent when it is cold, and we have had really hot weather up here in ontario since i got the bike....whats going to happen when the weather really is cold...i tried leaving the choke out for a while and some times its better and some times not....i was wondering if there is any kind of jetting modification i could do..but the bike runs so good when she is warm...the guy before me had put a set of slashed slip on's on the bike...loud but i like them........brummie ps..new plugs and air filter

 

Start the bike, with choke, like you have been doing and let it idle for 5 minutes before riding. I don't think rejetting is going to help any and besides, like you said, it runs fine when warmed up.

 

Rejetting will definitely help. If the bike has not been rejetted, do it. It's cheap and relatively easy. Add a SE air filter while you're at it. I rejetted my bike and it runs fine with the choke in within a few blocks in this warm weather. Before the rejet, it took a couple miles. Also, make sure you don't have any intake leaks which is common on v-twins.

 

Hi guys,
thanks for the input....i do let my bike warm up, i normally do not pull away till i can get the choke all the way in, i figure i am good then , but she still plays up a bit..i am more worried in the real cold weather...what is an se filter..???no leaks around intake..
I have taken carbs off before, i will have to find a good iron tech, and have a chat about re-jetting...because even when i am going slow when it is warm not quite as smooth as i think it could be..acceleration and top end excellent...thanks again brummie

 

During summer i start with full choke and in under a minute i'm off about the time i hit 3rd gear i push the choke in and go. Colder weather isn't much difference. I know it carb farts one in awhile but i don't even notice that. Don't let folks scare you away from the choke. It carb farts alot less now that its broken in. It's a carb Harley, It is what it is.

 

Your carb definitely needs tuned. I can start the bike, and after 15 seconds push the choke back to about 1/2-1/3 of the way out and ride a few blocks. I slowly close it as it warms up from there depending on the temp.

Check out http://www.harley-performance.com/ for carb tuning.

 

Hi guys...thanks again for your replys..it something i will keep i n mind in case of upgrade....it is only a minor problem , would not go back to a jap bike.. No way.. Brummie

 

A SE filter is a Screamin' Eagle air filter. It's 1/2 of the stage one upgrade, exhaust and intake/rejet. K&N also makes a very good hi-flo air filter.