Help with 97 FLHT Electra Glide
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 21
From: WI
Help with 97 FLHT Electra Glide
Afternoon all, having an issue with my 97 Electra Glide classic.
Bike starts easily (minimal choke), runs well, rides solid. Gears 1-3 pull really well.
When running at high speeds and in top gear (think 70mph, 5th gear), there just is nothing left. Pinning the throttle just bogs, no rev increase noise. I know top gears are like OD cruising gear, but I'm talking dead flat straightaway i can pin it and there is no increase whatsoever in speed, and like i said the engine does sound bogged. It does not backfire, pop, or anything like that
Its not an engine or clutch slip or anything like that. There sometimes is a hesitation when you have it pinned like a stutter, but it sounds like an engine hesitation (not a full missfire, but like bad fuel flow). you can hear it in the engine tone. So what do you think this is? My first inclination is of course something fuel related, but why would this only happen in top gears? In the lower gears you pin it and it will pull like a train all the way to redline.
Also read somewhere about pinholes in the internal tank fuel line causing fuel delivery issues. Could that be it? But again, why only in top gear and at higher speed?
Bought bike with 25k on it this year, put 5k on so far. Cleaned air filter, new plugs, changed all fluids (primary, trans, case), etc. Only run non-ethanol gas through it.
Bike starts easily (minimal choke), runs well, rides solid. Gears 1-3 pull really well.
When running at high speeds and in top gear (think 70mph, 5th gear), there just is nothing left. Pinning the throttle just bogs, no rev increase noise. I know top gears are like OD cruising gear, but I'm talking dead flat straightaway i can pin it and there is no increase whatsoever in speed, and like i said the engine does sound bogged. It does not backfire, pop, or anything like that
Its not an engine or clutch slip or anything like that. There sometimes is a hesitation when you have it pinned like a stutter, but it sounds like an engine hesitation (not a full missfire, but like bad fuel flow). you can hear it in the engine tone. So what do you think this is? My first inclination is of course something fuel related, but why would this only happen in top gears? In the lower gears you pin it and it will pull like a train all the way to redline.
Also read somewhere about pinholes in the internal tank fuel line causing fuel delivery issues. Could that be it? But again, why only in top gear and at higher speed?
Bought bike with 25k on it this year, put 5k on so far. Cleaned air filter, new plugs, changed all fluids (primary, trans, case), etc. Only run non-ethanol gas through it.
Last edited by mikejjmay; May 3, 2021 at 04:28 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
If your meaning going to wide open throttle at 70mph and still, in 5th gear that is putting the most load on the ignition system.
I'd be cking plug wires and coil. Maybe even the new plugs you mentioned. Plugs gap correct ??
Higher gear (cage or bike) roll on throttle and found many a plugwire or coil arching or breaking down.
WP
I'd be cking plug wires and coil. Maybe even the new plugs you mentioned. Plugs gap correct ??
Higher gear (cage or bike) roll on throttle and found many a plugwire or coil arching or breaking down.
WP
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
A completely stock EVO
..never really had much after 70mph in the power department.
Did this happen all of a sudden or gradual decrease in power?
Did you change or alter something?
Is the speedometer accurate? Perhaps youre traveling 80mph even though the Speedo says 70mph .you wouldnt have anything left.
Did this happen all of a sudden or gradual decrease in power?
Did you change or alter something?
Is the speedometer accurate? Perhaps youre traveling 80mph even though the Speedo says 70mph .you wouldnt have anything left.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
WP
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 21
From: WI
Sorry that was my bad, yes carbd so there is not internal pump, filter, or lines.
So the only clogged part could be the petcock fuel screen on the back of the petcock.
I havent had the bike long enough to know if this is just "normal" but i have had other cruisers with a OD or top gear meant for cruising and while there is really not much power left in the gear at freeway speeds, ive never had one that bogs like this and really does nothing. And i think the speedo is not off that much, just based on relative traffic speed. I mean, my KLR could pick up more passing speed on the highway than this one right now.
I did not change or alter anything, but must of my riding due to covid was just short around town hops. This summer starting to do more freeway commuting and this is where its is noticeable, in those top 2 gears. You can be going 70 and literally pin it all the way to the throttle stop and you will just maintain the same speed and you will hear the revs just stay flat (get louder mind you) but not increase. The bike has a tach, and revs are not increasing.
Ill check the plugs for gap, good start. Not sure how to test the plug wires themselves short of just replacing, or the coils. Ill have to research that.
Fuel lines look old, could be collapsing or sucking in air somewhere i supposed, but no obvious drips or leaks, and as noted works fine all the way up to redline at lower speeds.
So the only clogged part could be the petcock fuel screen on the back of the petcock.
I havent had the bike long enough to know if this is just "normal" but i have had other cruisers with a OD or top gear meant for cruising and while there is really not much power left in the gear at freeway speeds, ive never had one that bogs like this and really does nothing. And i think the speedo is not off that much, just based on relative traffic speed. I mean, my KLR could pick up more passing speed on the highway than this one right now.
I did not change or alter anything, but must of my riding due to covid was just short around town hops. This summer starting to do more freeway commuting and this is where its is noticeable, in those top 2 gears. You can be going 70 and literally pin it all the way to the throttle stop and you will just maintain the same speed and you will hear the revs just stay flat (get louder mind you) but not increase. The bike has a tach, and revs are not increasing.
Ill check the plugs for gap, good start. Not sure how to test the plug wires themselves short of just replacing, or the coils. Ill have to research that.
Fuel lines look old, could be collapsing or sucking in air somewhere i supposed, but no obvious drips or leaks, and as noted works fine all the way up to redline at lower speeds.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
No, not normal. If not ignition, then fuel. CV Carb? Could be a vacuum leak and the slide not moving up. Carb could be gunked up.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 21
From: WI
for arcing, i imagine i can just check it like old school cars, run it at night in your dark garage and look for the light show.
Ill have to read up on how to test the coil, ingition timing, and all that. Then if still ongoing, pull the carb and give her a quick clean i supposed is next.
Probably do new lines all over while im at it. I imagine all the fuel lines on this are 5/16" ID, 5/8" OD?
Ill have to read up on how to test the coil, ingition timing, and all that. Then if still ongoing, pull the carb and give her a quick clean i supposed is next.
Probably do new lines all over while im at it. I imagine all the fuel lines on this are 5/16" ID, 5/8" OD?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 1,186
From: Anywhere we stop
My 89 had the same symptoms. The membrane on the CV carb had a tear and I had a weak coil. After the repairs it was a different bike.
I'd look at the carb first.....Oh and if it's a stock 1340....don't expect a full dresser to do much more than 80 or so.