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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
I just bought my bike a few months ago, its my first bike. Its a 2003 harley sportster xl custom. Two problems that maybe be separate or the same cause. Has a carb.
It hates getting gas. Evey time I put gas in it, it stalls multiple times before running right.
Also now it has black smoke out the pipes, stalls even without gas fill up, and generally runs rough. Had it in neutral when I got home and parked, and super low idle to point of stalling with smoke.
Any suggestions? Don't have a couple hundred dollars at the moment to take it into the shop. Please help!
Black smoke is an indicator of "too rich" condition. It sounds like the needle in the carb is dirty, worn out, or the float is adjusted improperly. I would pull the carb and clean/rebuild it.
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