Mystery Problem
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 8
From: Cyprus in the Mediterranean
Mystery Problem
Hi Guys,
I bought a 2001 Harley Heritage FLSTC about a month ago. She had 15,000 miles and looked as good as the day it left the factory. In 50 years of owning bikes I’ve never seen a cleaner bike. The bike was kept indoors and even had its own room....I kid you not.
Anyway....I set about changing all the oils and plugs and fork oil. Washed the Air Filter with a new one on order. I’ve Cleaned the carb and purged the old fuel from the tank. I’m also using premium grade fuel. The belt and primary chain tensions have also been checked
During the last month I’ve done a few runs of about 100 miles each time and the bike has not missed a beat.
i did think the top end sounded a little noisy ...but on doing a bit of research It seemed that it was normal. Furthermore that Rocker Lockers could improve the situation.
Tonight at the end of a a nice sunny day I took the wife to a roadside cafe we like about 25 miles away.
On the return journey the bike felt like it was running out of fuel....I looked at the trip meter and thought to myself that’s a bit quick for changing over to the reserve.
i quickly changed the tap to reserve. The engine backfired then picked up just as you would expect when changing over to reserve.
Shortly thereafter the engine management light came on then the oil light so I stopped on the hard shoulder.
I let the bike sit for a while then started it again. It sounded fine. So I drove home without a reoccurrence. Seems fine.
After 50 years of bikes i have only recently owned Harley’s so I’d appreciate any help or ideas given
One other thing....I think the bike runs hot but it is air cooled and temp here is 35+ Daily.
Thanks Guys.....from your friendly Scot in exile 😂
I bought a 2001 Harley Heritage FLSTC about a month ago. She had 15,000 miles and looked as good as the day it left the factory. In 50 years of owning bikes I’ve never seen a cleaner bike. The bike was kept indoors and even had its own room....I kid you not.
Anyway....I set about changing all the oils and plugs and fork oil. Washed the Air Filter with a new one on order. I’ve Cleaned the carb and purged the old fuel from the tank. I’m also using premium grade fuel. The belt and primary chain tensions have also been checked
During the last month I’ve done a few runs of about 100 miles each time and the bike has not missed a beat.
i did think the top end sounded a little noisy ...but on doing a bit of research It seemed that it was normal. Furthermore that Rocker Lockers could improve the situation.
Tonight at the end of a a nice sunny day I took the wife to a roadside cafe we like about 25 miles away.
On the return journey the bike felt like it was running out of fuel....I looked at the trip meter and thought to myself that’s a bit quick for changing over to the reserve.
i quickly changed the tap to reserve. The engine backfired then picked up just as you would expect when changing over to reserve.
Shortly thereafter the engine management light came on then the oil light so I stopped on the hard shoulder.
I let the bike sit for a while then started it again. It sounded fine. So I drove home without a reoccurrence. Seems fine.
After 50 years of bikes i have only recently owned Harley’s so I’d appreciate any help or ideas given
One other thing....I think the bike runs hot but it is air cooled and temp here is 35+ Daily.
Thanks Guys.....from your friendly Scot in exile 😂
Last edited by Scottieman; Jul 6, 2020 at 01:54 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Do some homework and find out how to check for codes; there is a procedure and if a code was thrown, you can read it on the speedo.
Could be more than one problem going on if you had fuel left but the backfire and hesitation when switching to RES is typical. Could you have changed the float level when cleaning the carb? Could you have put the needle jet holder in upside down? Very common mistake but shouldn't present as described. Check fuel pressure. Check the screen in the outlet valve from the tank; if there is debris in the tank it will show up there.
There was an issue with the main circuit breaker in the early models. Over time they lose their capacity and when hot, will fail; wait a few minutes for it to cool down and she's ready to go again. The fix was to increase the MCB from 30A to 40A, if I recall correctly; check me on that.
Could be more than one problem going on if you had fuel left but the backfire and hesitation when switching to RES is typical. Could you have changed the float level when cleaning the carb? Could you have put the needle jet holder in upside down? Very common mistake but shouldn't present as described. Check fuel pressure. Check the screen in the outlet valve from the tank; if there is debris in the tank it will show up there.
There was an issue with the main circuit breaker in the early models. Over time they lose their capacity and when hot, will fail; wait a few minutes for it to cool down and she's ready to go again. The fix was to increase the MCB from 30A to 40A, if I recall correctly; check me on that.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 8
From: Cyprus in the Mediterranean
Crap in Tank
thanks for that....I drained the tank....that was an experience I can tell you....I also took out the petcock filter...it was clean......I pulled the jets again....clean
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 8
From: Cyprus in the Mediterranean
A new K&N Filter seems to have solved the problem.
The backplate gasket was broken and replaced.
The Air Filter was washed pending arrival of the new K&N Filter.
My theory is the bike was extra getting air through the broken backplate gasket. So when the gasket was replaced that shut down that avenue for extra air.
The plugs were changed and the carb cleaned.
The air filter, even after washing, still must have had restricted air flow.
The temperatures here in Cyprus are nudging 40 degrees. So when riding the bike in these temperatures the bike must have been gasping for air, hence the problem.
K&N Filter arrived and fitted. The Bike running normal now.
My Fathers words are still ringing in my ears after 50 years.....no matter the bike ....Fuel, Spark & Air
Thanks to all those who responded 👌
The backplate gasket was broken and replaced.
The Air Filter was washed pending arrival of the new K&N Filter.
My theory is the bike was extra getting air through the broken backplate gasket. So when the gasket was replaced that shut down that avenue for extra air.
The plugs were changed and the carb cleaned.
The air filter, even after washing, still must have had restricted air flow.
The temperatures here in Cyprus are nudging 40 degrees. So when riding the bike in these temperatures the bike must have been gasping for air, hence the problem.
K&N Filter arrived and fitted. The Bike running normal now.
My Fathers words are still ringing in my ears after 50 years.....no matter the bike ....Fuel, Spark & Air
Thanks to all those who responded 👌
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
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From: poway
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 921
Likes: 584
From: Connecticut
Might want to consider intake and manifold seals as well. 15k miles in 19 years is a recipe for lots of hardened seals, gaskets and hoses.
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