New to Harleys

pingj · #1 03-03-2005, 08:22 PM

The Credit Union I work for just REPOED a 02 Heritage Classic with 23k on it. I'm thinking of buying it. The bike is in great shape except that it won't stay running unless the choke is full on. It seems to be stock with the exception of an S&S Carb. The thing just completely dies when the choke is off.

Any ideas?

Tn.Heritage · #2 03-03-2005, 08:32 PM

Sound's like the carb is all gummned up from sitting for awhile, just my .02 cent's.

pingj · #3 03-03-2005, 09:32 PM

Just had a friend over to look at it. He's been a Harley Guy for many years. We tweeked the carb and cleaned the plugs. He seems to think that there is still a carb problem and probable a burned valve also. There is intermittent flame out of the pipes and it back fires once in a while after coming off of the throttle. Also there are aftermarket plug wires that have blue flashing lights on them when the plugs fire. One of the plugs misses about every 5th or 6th cycle, but only at idle.

I'm wondering if the price I would get the thing for is worth the expence I would have to put into it after buying it?

Sincecrazy · #4 03-03-2005, 09:58 PM

The idle circuit, (slow speed jet), is stopped up. This is common to any carb that has had old fuel sitting in it. With all the additives in fuel these days the shelf life it greatly reduced. You have to run the choke to compensate for the lack of fuel on the idle circuit. Easy fix with carb clean. Change out the plugs also since it is being ran on a rich mixture.

Sincecrazy · #5 03-03-2005, 10:03 PM

I dont know that I would assume it to have a burned valve. I still believe that you have a lean running condition. The carb needs to be removed and vatted, or soaked in a carb clean such as YAMAHA carb cleaner (a great product). Soak the carb full strength in this, it is even rubber friendly (wont damage the diaphram or orings). I dont think you would have alot of expense. I dont know that I would leave those lights on the plug wires, that might be part of the firing problem.

investorsc · #6 03-03-2005, 10:18 PM

You need to buy it right- and I mean right........ How do you think the dude rode it if he knew it was going out of his garage and back to the bank...Could be tip of problem, expensive iceberg!

BRUCE

pingj · #7 03-03-2005, 11:04 PM

Yea I have my doubts as to the burned valve too. I'm willing to put some time into it until I know it's mine but if it's mor than say 20 bucks or so I'm not going to put any money into it until it's mine. This thing was a the auction today with a high bid of 11,400. Policy says that if the auction price is $1000 or more below what the member owes on it then we have to run it twice at the auction. We're thinking it will get about the same interest at the same price next week so I'll probably be able to put it in the garage for 11,000 - 11,500.

I wish I havd a bore scope so look at the valves. I'm going to pull the carb on Saturday and clean it and replace the plugs. That shouldn't be more than 20-30 buck. I can live with that but the wires are going to have to wait.

Thanks for all of the reply's and if you have any other ideas keep em coming.

Scout · #8 03-03-2005, 11:27 PM

Did you do a compression test? That will give you an idea about the valve condition. What do the plugs look like? Also if you can, take off the oil filter and cut it apart and look for metal or gasket material. It's a cheap and easy way to evaluate what's happening inside the engine.

pingj · #9 03-04-2005, 12:00 AM

Didn't do a compression test but thanks for the idea. What pressure range should it be in?

Scout · #10 03-04-2005, 12:14 AM

I don't remember the range, so I do't want to give you wrong info, but I will look it up in the morning at work and give you it then.

I should remember 9.0 to 1, 1450 divided by two?

It's too late for my brain to work that out.