Running out of gas...
 

Hi all...
Got a questions hopefully somebody can shed some light on. I have a 1980 FLH, 74" with S & S Super E carb...
The bike sat for a long time last year and had a very dirty gas tank.

I rebuilt the carb last year and put an external fuel filter on until I could get the bike painted with the new tank that came with it. Well, the bike is now painted and has the new tank on it and still have the external glass fuel filter.
The problem I am having is, I can turn the gas on and I see the gas fill up the fuel line on the way to the carb. Once the bike is started it idles great!! There are a few back fires through the carb while hitting the accelerator which I'm sure I have to set the lean/rick mixure... the problem is that the fuel line will run out of gas and no other gas will pour into the fuel line which causes the bike to stall out and backfire like a shotgun through the exhaust. It will usually run for 5 - 10 minutes and then the fuel line gets empty. If I disconnect the fuel line to the carb gas pours out fine but for some reason it stops flowing when the carb is hooked up.

I just took the carb apart again this morning and cleaned it out and everything seems ok.. I am kind of lost on this one. Any ideas??

FYI, here is the pic of the bike now, some of you might remember when I got this last year, it used to be white!!




[IMG]local://upfiles/27903/FB663F4AB6794B45A7AE7FBA38CF93CB.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Running out of gas...
 

Are the caps venting? Try loosening them and see if it flows better. Does your fuel line go uphill or have a loop,kink or something strange? Flowing thru the filter the right direction?

Bob

RE: Running out of gas...
 

I had a similiar problem once. I'd run out of fuel going down the road(even whenthe throttle was not"opened up")but fuel always flowed through the fuel lines and filter when disconnected. I finally just replaced the petcock with a Pingel hi-flow type and only used the filter that came with it, not an inline type in the fuel line. No more fuel troubles!!!

I don't know what the problem was for sure, but suspect the slight restriction caused by the fuel filter, less than great flow from the stock petcock, andengine heat caused some type ofvapor locking problem which stopped the flow when everything was connected.

Good Luck!!

RE: Running out of gas...
 

The right gas cap is vented and the left one is not.. when I remove the cap it doesn't change...

I also repalced the petcock last year... I was suspecting the fuel filter...
I'll try removing the filter and see if that help..

RE: Running out of gas...
 

Ok, I removed the filter and put in one fuel line directly to the carb... it is still backfiring out the exhaust like crazy when it is warmed up. It also does it through the carb when taking off...

Hmmmm...

RE: Running out of gas...
 

No comment that can help. But I have been watching since you

bought that Tim. It is looking good, when you get the wrinkles

ironed out. You will have a great old shovel. Keep at it.

RE: Running out of gas...
 

Nice looking bike. I like S&S carbs. Had "B: now have an "E" on my 1983 FLHS

Now that you are getting gas flow ok could it be something else other then the carb?Do you still have electronic ignition or pts/cond? When you said you rebuiltthe carbdid you walk thru the adjustment process:

http://www.millerscustomparts.us/sho...tuningtips.htm

How are plugs burning?

RE: Running out of gas...
 

hi there Timboto,
These guys are good! looking for the obvious fuel flow and venting the tank.
One thing I see by looking at the picture of your bike, is that the fuel line routed behind the rear head?
If so I don't think thats too good of an idea, it is getting more heat off that back cylinder than if routed between the front and rear cylinder and you would be able to eliminate several inches of fuel line making for better flow to the carburetor. This may not even be a problem but ya never know.
are you following the S & S instructions {original manual} for rebuilding and tuning the Carburetor?

popping out both the carb and pipes indicate you may have and ignition issue as well but take another look at the carburetor and make sure all is installed correctly with no vacuum leaks clear passages ect.
to confirm your getting a good supply of fuel to the carb you can have a container handy, remove the drain on the bottom of the float bowl, catch the fuel and then turn on the fuel valve and observe the volume of fuel flow.
does this bike have points?
valves set to specs?
fresh spark plugs?
float set to specs?
vent tube from float bowl installed?
battery fully charged?

keep us posted on your progress.

RE: Running out of gas...
 

Hmmm, I was thinking it might be an ignition problem.
This may sound pretty novice, but I was under the impression it was electronic ignition, BUT how would I tell for sure? It does have a standard coil on it. I am not sure where to find the points if it had them. It's not like an old car.. Hmmm..

Here is an interesting issue I found like mine...
http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/pr...nder-load.html

RE: Running out of gas...
 

Tim you need to get yourself an OEM service manual and study it if you plan on working on your Shovel head.;)

the points or ignition module is behind the round inspection cover on the engine right side
fouled plugs can give you the condition you are describing but you need to determine IF they are fouled and WHY they are fouling!
BTW the link you posted doesn't work.