Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion 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.

shovelhead sneeze

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 20, 2019 | 04:22 PM
  #1  
ServiceTech's Avatar
ServiceTech
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default shovelhead sneeze

1980 wide glide. Engine had been bored by my late father, nothing drastic. I recently did a complete top end job on the bike. New valves, seats, pistons, gaskets, etc. I also added a super E carb. the problem I’m having was present BEFORE the top end job and is still present now. At different throttle ranges the engine sneezes or coughs through the carburetor. I’ve heard that this is common with the shovelheads but I just can’t stand it anymore. I need this bike to idle, accelerate, and hold a steady throttle without making this noise. Is there anyone who can help me out? Timing is factory, maybe slightly advanced. Jets have been changed ( I can’t remember the numbers), idle mixture is set “correctly”. Any help is greatly appreciated. I just want to ride the bike with none of this skipping.
 

Last edited by ServiceTech; Jun 20, 2019 at 04:24 PM. Reason: Typos.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2019 | 07:13 AM
  #2  
Architect's Avatar
Architect
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
Default

You need to find yourself a good tuner, preferably with a Dyno. pay the money, you will be happy after.

That said, mine will do it when hot, sitting at a red light. When the light is getting ready to change I like to give her a quick rev before I am ready to proceed, avoids the sneezing.

It should not be doing it while you are riding, that is just a bad tune, get her fixed, good luck.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2019 | 07:57 AM
  #3  
marcodarq's Avatar
marcodarq
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1,174
From: florida
Default

first off make sure that you have NO vacum leaks, shovels are very prone to intake manifold leaks.
post up your jet sizes and what pipes you are running on the bike. it sounds like you have a lean condition.
also is the cam stock, or has it been changed and if so, to what? all important info to know in order to try to guide you to the proper repair/fix.
marco
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2019 | 08:50 AM
  #4  
wfolarry's Avatar
wfolarry
Tourer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 281
From:
Default

What ignition do you have? Mechanical advance that's not working properly can cause this too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2019 | 07:11 PM
  #5  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Default

As Marco said... What cam and what's the compressio?. Not all cams play well with an increase in compression...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
theterribleone_vdc
Engine Mechanical Topics
5
Aug 19, 2016 07:39 AM
?shovehead?
Shovelhead
5
Sep 10, 2010 12:57 PM
hddee
Shovelhead
5
May 26, 2008 11:24 AM
csd4682
Ironhead
6
Apr 12, 2008 07:05 PM
shovelrder1979
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
4
Apr 29, 2007 10:19 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:34 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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