Hi all,
Very excited. I bought a 2001 fxdwg2. Been riding a sportster since 2013. Will pick it up tomorrow. Bike only has 25,000 miles on it. From what I understand, this is a pretty rare bike. It is in perfect condition. Only concern is that it is carded. I know this topic has been talked about forever. Since I haven’t owned a carbed bike before, any expert advice is appreciated.
Thank you,
john

 

Carbed not carded.

 

Check the carb make sure it's clean and in good condition. I recently picked up an 05 Wide Glide and it ran like **** until I bitched to Harley and they took it in and cleaned it out. Also, get used to having an enricher/choke especially on cold mornings.

 

Don't let it sit for long without putting some stabilizer in the gas tank. Or you will be paying someone to clean your carbs (or learning how to do it yourself).

All the bikes in my sig line are carbed. They work great, but with the ethanol in the gas if you let it sit for a couple months the carbs get all gummed up. Using a gasoline stabilizer like Stabil will help prevent that.

If your location is Arkansas then at least you should be able to ride year round. Just don't let the gas get old and enjoy the bike.

 

Carbed engines take a little more care and maintenance but nothing compares, IMO.

Mind the petcock. You now have three fuel delivery options: off, on, & reserve. The stock petcock should be vacuum operated so it shuts off automatically when the engine stops. Many people change to fully manual.

Periodic cleaning and tuning should be part of your PM schedule (or as needed). As above, longer periods of sitting should be accompanied by a fuel stabilizer (make sure to run the treated fuel thru the carb before storage) and/or run it dry before storage.

Get used to new odors. Especially if it's non-cat exhaust and vented tank. You'll smell raw gasoline and a different exhaust scent and your clothes will likely have an odor after riding.

Learn how to rebuild and tune it. It will save you a LOT of headache and money in the long term.

Finally, enjoy having a REAL bike (carbed). They can be moody bitches but the personality is part of the allure.

 

After near 40 years of Carbed Rides prefer them .. EFI is fine until things go wrong .. Carbs I can rebuild and understand .. Below is a good site for you ..


https://cv-performance.com/Harley-Ca...um-Renewal-Kit

 

 

LOL! All in good fun. Anybody willing to feel the breeze on two (or three) wheels is OK by me. Except maybe the occasional butt plug squid endangering others.

 

Had to bring bike back to dealer today. Bike was would not start! Thought battery was bad even tho they said they put a new one in. Turns out the starter wire came loose. Anyway, while I was at dealership, the manager told me the bike had a stage 3 upgrade. Said engine is a 103 from an 88. Can anyone explain all that went into these upgrades.
Thank you

 

A stage 3 from an 88 would be the 95 big bore kit unless I am missing something and Harley sells a 103 kit.