2001 FXDL will not idle until it's warm
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 523
Likes: 70
From: Vancouver, WA
I recently bought a 2001 FXDL with 3,100 miles on it. It is my first bike with a carb. It seems to run fine with the enricher on for cold starts but I had a weird issue the other day where the bike would die at idle after a few minutes of riding. I had to rev it at stops just to prevent it from happening. I haven't had that same issue since.
My gf's first bike, a 2006 Rebel 250 w/ 3k miles had this same issue. I'd pull the gas cap off and it would fire right up again. After emptying the tank and investigating, it had nasty sludge in the bottom of it...blew it out with an air compressor and checked the vent line to make sure it wasn't clogged....problem solved.
Note: I have no idea what the tank vent system is like on a 2001 FXDL, speaking from experience with many other bikes.
Last edited by JoshFXDL; Nov 28, 2017 at 11:07 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
ALL 2001 Carbureted FXDL's and others have a hose that goes from the tank vent opening to the top of the Petcock behind the toggle valve which acts as a vacuum to the petcocks diaphragm to deliver constant fuel delivery volume to the petcock and CV carbureted fuel line .
The vacuum line for the (terrible) factory petcock should come from the carb so a running engine opens the valve and a stopped engine closes it.
The tank vent line (under the console) should go to a hose with a check valve and then to air. I'm not familiar with the models equipped with charcoal canisters, but I'd expect another vacuum line going from it to the induction somewhere, creating a closed loop. Probably another vacuum valve in there somewhere, too.
Last edited by cggorman; Dec 3, 2017 at 06:19 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
ALL 2001 Carbureted FXDL's and others have a hose that goes from the tank vent opening to the top of the Petcock behind the toggle valve which acts as a vacuum to the petcocks diaphragm to deliver constant fuel delivery volume to the petcock and CV carbureted fuel line .
Well hell; talk about outing yourself as a bullshit artist. Well done... not...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 809
From: South Carolina
After looking at that diagram, I looked at my bike. Then I looked at the diagram again and thought WTF... None of these hoses are on my bike.. The I saw at the bottom of the page California.. And there's the problem! Don't use that book..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 67
From: Hooterville, Fl.
My wide glide was not a California model either. Neither was my son's sportster. They both had them. The difference in the picture of the Cali bikes is the canister. Mind did not have that.
edit. There are many bikes that have been converted to a regular pingle petcock fuel valve. These no longer require vacuum to open the valve.
edit. There are many bikes that have been converted to a regular pingle petcock fuel valve. These no longer require vacuum to open the valve.
Last edited by MJ; Dec 3, 2017 at 08:56 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
My wide glide was not a California model either. Neither was my son's sportster. They both had them. The difference in the picture of the Cali bikes is the canister. Mind did not have that.
edit. There are many bikes that have been converted to a regular pingle petcock fuel valve. These no longer require vacuum to open the valve.
edit. There are many bikes that have been converted to a regular pingle petcock fuel valve. These no longer require vacuum to open the valve.