I have an 02 1200 custom sportster and it will backfire and act like it is flooding out. I check the plugs and usually they are dry but sometimes if I wait 10 minutes or so it will start and sometimes not and other times if will start right up but when it is hot from running it always starts I've check the timing and the carb and just don't know what it is any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

Are you using the enrichner (choke)?

 

Yes I use the choke it use to start up every time and one morning it started having problems

 

The enrichner cables do go bad. It may be bound up or broken internally. Once the bike fires up (when the motor is cold) does the enrichner seem to work?

Also, has the carb been rebuilt? An 02 should be due for it.

How many miles are on the bike?

 

The choke works The cables are not bad the card ha been rebuilt and the bike has about 40,000 miles on it the entire bike was rebuilt about a month ago

 

backfires are usually a lean condition. Are your pipes clean or black and sooty? Might want to check your vacuum lines too. you should have one that comes out the top of the carb and then connects to your "vacuum advance" Might follow the gas line and see if it has a filter on it too.

 

It never backfires when it's running only when I'm trying to start it and the plugs a little wet sometimes I don't really think its a fuel issue could it be something with timing or a weak coil