Carburetor Related Find discussions on carburetor related goodies here. Swap and trades? Rebuild information and tuning for the pre EFI systems.

carb issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2015 | 11:55 PM
  #1  
pacman552sd's Avatar
pacman552sd
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Default carb issues

Hi everyone . I'm here with a few questions. I just bought a 89 sportster 1200 with a cv carb . The previous owner took the carb apart to clean it and ever since then the bike won't run right. The bike starts and idles fine . If you snap the throttle open then closed it revs up fine . But if you snap it open and hold it or if you just slowly open it the bike sputters and dies . After reading up on this carb and having a little experience with carbs I have a few ideas what to do but I would like to know if you guys know of any other causes of problems like this. I already ordered a gasket kit for the carb and plan of checking for intake leaks before i tear the carb off.

So far my ideas of the issue are
1. Plugged main or needle jet
2. Damaged needle
3. Improperly installed collar on the needle
4. Missadjusted float

I also have a few other more far fetched ideas if those don't work. But do you guys have any other ideas?
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 02:33 AM
  #2  
pacman552sd's Avatar
pacman552sd
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Default

did a little investigating, removed the air filiter and gave the carb a good look over. the collar that the needle rides into seems to be farther into the body of the carb then what i have seen in pictures i have found online. do you guys think that the collar is installed upside down
 
Attached Thumbnails carb issues-20150529_021902.jpg  
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 02:55 AM
  #3  
Ron750's Avatar
Ron750
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Default

Can't help, but here is a bump.
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 12:39 PM
  #4  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
Default

The long end goes into the carb throat.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2015 | 09:37 AM
  #5  
Yankee Dog's Avatar
Yankee Dog
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,723
Likes: 3,063
From: Brighton, MI
Default

Originally Posted by pacman552sd
did a little investigating, removed the air filiter and gave the carb a good look over. the collar that the needle rides into seems to be farther into the body of the carb then what i have seen in pictures i have found online. do you guys think that the collar is installed upside down
If your talking about the needle jet, then yes, they are often reinstalled wrong. Could it be an aftermarket needle that uses clips and is installed way to far down?

You really need to take the carb apart. If you suspect a clogged main, then the pilot jet will definitely be clogged. Get a can or two of carb cleaner, a parts diagram or even a how to instructions and take it apart and give everything a good once over.

Here is a great source for parts and info:

http://www.cv-performance.com/carbur...eatured&page=2

Good luck. YD
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2015 | 09:48 AM
  #6  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by pacman552sd
If you snap the throttle open then closed it revs up fine . But if you snap it open and hold it or if you just slowly open it the bike sputters and dies .
This is the classic symptom of the needle jet installed upside down.

Don`t ask me how I know...
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2015 | 10:39 PM
  #7  
Ed Ramberger's Avatar
Ed Ramberger
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 1,208
From: Then Wisconsin, now North Carolina
Default

+1 on the needle jet (tube) is most likely upside down. Unfortunately I learned that lesson 20 years ago and never forgot it.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MBRADE
Carburetor Related
2
May 12, 2013 08:47 AM
bryon857
Ironhead
7
Feb 21, 2008 06:56 PM
Paulution
Sportster Models
2
Jul 28, 2007 05:28 PM
FatBoyinNJ
Exhaust System Topics
2
Sep 7, 2006 07:26 PM
Beeracuda
Exhaust System Topics
13
Dec 27, 2005 03:16 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE