I just picked up a 1995 FXDS last week, 14000 miles on the clock. PO rebuilt the carb last summer and I feel like it idles a little high at 1500 rpm. What is the proper idle speed? I'm new to Evos so no real experience.

I do like to hear the lope and prefer a slower idle speed. Is there a certain speed where its "too" low and could cause problems?

 

The book calls for 950 - 1050 at idle when the engine is warmed up. They will go anywhere from 1500 - 2200 with the choke fully out. The factory tachometers aren't the most accurate thing in the world, but are usually within 100 or so.

Idling much below 800 won't let the oiling system operate as designed and idle speed will be inconsistent due to the electronic ignition.

 

Thanks. I'm basing my observation on the factory tach and the motor being at operating temperature. So based on your reply I can screw it down to 950 - 1000 and be safe.

 

I'd check the cable adjustment so it's not keeping the throttle opened a little bit first.

Griz

 

Hmm. Good point. The throttle closes by its self but it doesn’t snap closed instantly. It has a bit of drag when you let go of it. I’ll adjust the cable first. Thanks.

 

I would fix that throttle closing issue before I slung a leg over your bike. Otherwise, if it happens to hang up on you instead of just dragging, you're going for a Nantucket sleigh ride.


carl

 

I'd check the throttle thumb screw to see if it's causing the drag as well.

 

That's the first thing I looked at, the thumb screw is not the issue. I need to check the routing or the adjustment. It works fine except it takes it maybe a 1/4 second to close instead of snapping shut like it should.

 

I once worked on a bike….that the owner put new bars on. He couldn’t get it to idle right…..fine before with the old bars.

I messed around with it long enough….that I ended up disconnecting the throttle cables from the carburetor. Then adjusted idle to around 1000. Reconnected cables and idle jumped back to 1300.

Ended up being a fray on the cable that was catching under the gas tank.

Definately check the cables

 

Also check for intake leaks. Spray carb cleaner or equivalent around intake seals while running and see if idle increases.